ScoutIndex

HOU HOU

Jaylen Samuels

RB

A 5th-round pick (165th overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft out of N.C. State, Jaylen Samuels has built an NFL career since. He last played in 2021 with HOU, a career spanning 4 NFL seasons. Last season's 25.9 ScoutIndex Rating landed in the 7th percentile among RBs, below average for the position. Across 4 NFL seasons, he has totaled 85 catches for 564 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Size

6'0", 225#

College

N.C. State

Draft

Rd 5, 165th overall (2018)

Seasons

2018–2021

2021 ScoutIndex Rating · RB

Methodology
43.3

27th percentile among RBs · limited sample

3 games · 8 touches

Volume×0.1-0.80
Receiving×0.14-0.29
Total EPA×0.24+0.06
Conversion×0.1-0.51
Ball security×0.06+0.11
Yards/carry×0.12-0.37
Rush EPA/carry×0.24-0.46

2021 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismRushingReceivingImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed54▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among RBs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst57▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine RBs.

Agility57▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine RBs (faster = higher).

Size71▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the RB cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Rushing

Rush Efficiency29▶

Rushing EPA ÷ carry.

Yards/Carry27▶

Rushing yards ÷ carry.

Conversion23▶

(Rushing first downs + ½ rushing TD) ÷ carry.

Receiving

Receiving36▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target, plus a reception-volume bonus — the same formula behind the Rating's receiving component.

Impact

Ball Security50▶

Fumbles lost ÷ touch (fewer is better).

Volume28▶

Carries + receptions this season.

Efficiency26▶

Total EPA (rushing + receiving) per game.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2021HOU43.339314
2020PIT40.4928946
2019PIT25.913351751473051
2018PIT619256261993

Career profile

Across 4 NFL seasons on file, Jaylen Samuels has played in 34 regular-season games, playing for 2 teams: PIT (2018–2020), HOU (2021).

As a passer he has thrown for 35 yards and 0 touchdowns with 1 interception. He has rushed for 468 yards and 1 touchdown. As a receiver he has caught 85 passes for 564 yards and 4 touchdowns. His most productive receiving season was 2019 with PIT: 305 yards and 1 touchdown in 13 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2019: a 25.9, in the 7th percentile among RBs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2021 splits

regular season

2021 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 13IND2 rush yds, 0 TD40.1
Week 16LAC—48.3
Week 17SF7 rush yds, 0 TD · 3 rec, 14 yds, 0 TD42.8

Jaylen Samuels — common questions

What position does Jaylen Samuels play?
Jaylen Samuels is listed as an RB.
Which teams has Jaylen Samuels played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Jaylen Samuels has played for PIT (2018–2020), HOU (2021).
Where did Jaylen Samuels go to college?
Jaylen Samuels played college football at N.C. State.
When was Jaylen Samuels drafted?
Jaylen Samuels was selected in round 5, 165th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Jaylen Samuels scored?
Jaylen Samuels has 5 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (1 rushing, 4 receiving).
What is Jaylen Samuels's ScoutIndex Rating?
Jaylen Samuels rated 43.3 for 2021, the 27th percentile among RBs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 5, 2018

Also from N.C. State