Dylan Sampson RB Tennessee | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Dylan Sampson RB Tennessee
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 12/09/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.35 seconds (97%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.3 DOB: 09/14/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 12/09/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.35 seconds (97%*) | |
| Age: 20.3 DOB: 09/14/2004 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 86.6 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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96% |
| Break Tackles: |
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81% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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76% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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68% |
| Run Blocking: |
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59% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Mid
Overall Rank:
#44
Position rank:
#4
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| College Games: 33 College Snaps: 1007 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Wright - Tennessee |
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83% |
| Trey Benson - Florida State |
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70% |
| Dameon Pierce - Florida |
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65% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Dylan Sampson has become a dynamic playmaker for Tennessee after joining the program as a 3-star recruit out of Louisiana. The junior running back steadily climbed the depth chart, showcasing explosive speed and versatility that caught the attention of NFL scouts. In 2023, Sampson rushed for 604 yards and 7 touchdowns while adding 175 receiving yards, forming an effective backfield tandem. He built on that success in 2024, leading the SEC with 9 rushing touchdowns through just 3 games.A standout track athlete in high school, Sampson's elite speed translates seamlessly to the football field. He clocked a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash and has been measured reaching 22-23 mph during games. That game-breaking speed was on full display in 2022 when he ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run against Vanderbilt. Sampson couples his speed with impressive vision and cutting ability, allowing him to exploit gaps and make defenders miss in the open field.
Off the field, Sampson demonstrates strong leadership as a member of Tennessee's leadership council. He's excelled academically, earning SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition. Sampson also participated in the VOLeaders Academy, traveling to South Africa as part of the program focused on using sport to drive positive social change.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite breakaway speed (4.35 40-yard dash) allows him to turn any touch into a big play, even against angles from defensive backs
- Excellent vision and anticipation to set up blocks, press the line, and find cutback lanes in zone running schemes
- Explosive lateral quickness and agility to make sharp cuts and leave defenders grasping at air in space
- Natural hands and route-running ability out of the backfield make him a legitimate receiving threat at the next level
- Demonstrates good contact balance to bounce off tackles and consistently gain yards after contact despite smaller frame
- Versatile skill set allows creative offensive coordinators to deploy him in multiple roles to create mismatches
- Quick study with strong work habits, should pick up NFL playbooks rapidly
- Clean injury history despite heavy collegiate workload
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized for an every-down NFL back at just 190 pounds, which could limit his ability to handle a full workload
- Pass protection skills need significant refinement, as he struggles to anchor against blitzing linebackers
- Can be overpowered when running between the tackles against stout defensive fronts, limiting short-yardage effectiveness
- Sometimes relies too heavily on his speed, trying to bounce runs outside instead of taking available yards up the middle
- Ball security could be a concern, as he's had some fumbling issues when fighting for extra yards in traffic
Scouting Report: Summary
Sampson's elite burst and lateral quickness project him as a potential game-breaker at the next level. His skill set is tailor-made for zone-heavy schemes that allow him to use his vision and one-cut ability. In the passing game, Sampson's route-running chops and soft hands make him a mismatch nightmare for linebackers out of the backfield or split wide.While his frame limits his potential as a bell-cow, Sampson profiles as an ideal change-of-pace back who can provide instant juice to an NFL offense. His ability to house it from anywhere on the field will force defenses to account for him on every snap. With polish in pass protection, Sampson could grow into a three-down role.
Sampson's explosive skill set and versatility make him an intriguing Day 2 prospect. His ceiling will largely depend on landing in a system that maximizes his open-field ability and receiving skills. In the right scheme, Sampson has the tools to become a dynamic weapon capable of tilting the field on limited touches.
How other scouting services rate Dylan Sampson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
75.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
6.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.