There are plenty of occasions where college teams overlook a prospect. That seems to be the case with Cameron Sample. Out of high school, Sample was a two-star recruit with only one scholarship from an FBS team. That team was Tulane, and Sample took it and ran with the opportunity. Sample, paired with Patrick Johnson, formed a dynamic pass-rush duo for the Green Wave. The Green Wave moved him all across the defense, and that versatility will be liked by the NFL.
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Player Bio
Name: Cameron Sample
Jersey: #5
Position: Edge Rusher
School: Tulane
Class: Senior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 274 lbs
Explosiveness (6.75/10)
Sample doesn’t have a great get-off. He doesn’t put immediate pressure on the offensive linemen and does better in this regard on the interior of the defensive line rather than on the edge.
Flexibility (6/10)
He isn’t very flexible. Sample is much more of a power rusher than a finesse and speed rusher. He would rather go through blocks than go around them. Sample seemed much better in this regard at the Senior Bowl.
Length (6.25/10)
Sample’s arms put him in difficult positions. He isn’t able to use his length to his advantage and forces his way to the quarterback with his power instead. Sample could have some issues here in the NFL.
Run Defense (8.25/10)
He is a good run defender. Sample is a hard-fighting run defender that does a good job of fighting to find what gap the running lanes are at. He is good at processing where the blocks are going and what they mean for him, and where he needs to be.
Football IQ (8.5/10)
Sample has played all over the pace in the front seven of the Tulane defense. He never seems to seem lost on the field and always knew what his assignment was.
Lateral Mobility (6.5/10)
Sample is much better in this regard from the interior. His skills in this trait on the edge are a bit limited. Sample won’t make up ground from the opposite side of the field and can pursue down the line of scrimmage.
Tackling (8.75/10)
Sample is a sound tackler. He rarely misses a tackle and can lay the boom when needed. Sample isn’t a liability in one-on-one situations, and there weren’t any times where he missed tackles resulting in big gains.
Power (9/10)
He will stun linemen right from the jump because of his powerful hands off the line of scrimmage. He has a great bull-rush, and it is almost unstoppable.
Versatility (8.5/10)
Sample has spent time in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes and has played as a pass-rusher and interior defensive lineman. Along with that, he has spent time as a stand-up linebacker. When Sample is playing from the interior, he usually plays as a three-technique or 4i.
Effort (3.25/5)
He will jog around when the play moves to the other side of the field. When the player cuts back over to his original side of the field, Sample has to get back up to speed. It is concerning to see him give up on some plays once they aren’t near him.
Injury (3.75/5)
Sample had some nagging ankle and knee over the last few years. It seemed as though the injuries limited him a bit during the 2020 season. He looked like a completely different player in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.
Player Summary
Sample is a favorite of many on Draft Twitter. Ultimately, the difference between his film during the 2020 season and his Senior Bowl performance was two completely different players. His versatility and power are the best assets of his game, and he needs to develop some. The Ravens are a favorite team for him to go to and would be a perfect fit on day two or even day three if he lasts that long. Sample could play both on the edge and the interior in a 4-3 scheme. If he can refine some of his traits, Sample could be a steal late on day two or early on day three.
Final Grade (75.5/100): Mid Fourth Round
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