Samori Toure WR Nebraska
 
Player Bio
Samori Toure (pronounced sa-MOR-ee TOO-ray) grew up in Portland, Oregon, and set school receiving records at Westview High School before signing with Montana. He impacted the team's offense as a redshirt freshman in 2017 (31-553-17.8, five TDs receiving; 21-379-18.0 kickoff returns), playing in 11 games as a reserve. Toure started 10 of 11 games played the following year (37-440-11.9, two TDs). His game went to another level as a junior, allowing him to garner third-team Associated Press All-American, Big Sky Conference Receiver of the Year and first-team all-league honors in 2019. He set school records with 87 receptions and 1,495 yards (17.2 per) while scoring 13 times in 14 starts. Toure broke an FCS playoff record with 303 receiving yards against Southeast Louisiana. The school did not play in the fall of 2020 due to COVID-19, so Toure decided to transfer to Nebraska. He led the Huskers with 898 receiving yards (46 receptions, 19.5 per) and five touchdowns in 2021, starting nine of 12 games played and scoring one rushing touchdown (8-63-7.9). -- by Chad Reuter

Overview
Inside/outside target with his most productive seasons coming at Montana in 2019 and Nebraska in 2021. Toure has average NFL size and speed and below-average route-running technique, but coverage tends to struggle to stay in step with him on over routes and posts. He struggles with physical coverage and contested catch opportunities. Toure might have a shot to find a back-end roster spot in an offense looking for slot speed with a scheme allowing him to catch on the move both intermediate and deep.

Strengths
Tested like an NFL receiver at pro day.
Posted five 100-yard games in his only season on FBS level.
Foot quickness for improved release success into routes.
Sharp cuts cause problems for tight man coverage underneath.
Hits accelerator at the route stem.
Creates catch separation despite average route salesmanship.
Maintains his long speed when turning to track the football.

Weaknesses
Hands will need to become more active in clearing press.
Physical cornerbacks really stall his route progress.
Sloppy getting in and out of route breaks.
Better speed variance needed with routes on the next level.
Slightly below-average hands as pass-catcher.
His run-after-catch is nothing special.

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I actually like this pick and think he makes the squad.

This may be the year that we officially say fully goodbye to Malik Taylor. We will see if he has 9 lives. Some of you may think Gute would let a draft pick go first. You would be wrong.

There are 11 WRs on the depth chart at moment(Before UDFAs)

Gute will keep 7 on the 53.

24 years old. He'll be collecting social security before making the roster.

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Gute broke the "we don't draft old guys" mold this year. I would like to think Samori will have a chance to return kickoffs. The "weak hands" knock on him makes me wonder. I can see him taking Malik's place on the team. At worst PS for a while then getting called up late in the season.

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I think the only reason the "we don't draft old guys" rule was broken was this class was delayed a little thanks to the 2020 COVID season.

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Yes. But then again there were other players available who are younger even if they are less talented. Gute opted for talent over youth.

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Packers usually only keep 6 WRs, even though WRs are always screaming they should keep one more... and afraid of losing a WR to a claim which has rarely happened.

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I'm thinking 7 this year because Gute actually kept 8 WRs in 2018. The last time he drafted 3 WRs.

If you consider the WR chart at the moment which sits at 11 WRs.

Top 6 at the moment would be Lazard, Watkins, Cobb, Watson, Amari Rodgers, and Romeo Doubs. I really think he will keep one more. We will get a better picture in camp.

Gute isn't real fond of cutting his draft picks only a few months after drafting them. Usually gives them at least a year to prove themselves. J'Mon Moore is a example of one he did let go after a year.

I looked up 2018, and yes they kept 8 WRs on the initial 53 roster, but WRs Kumerow and Trevor Davis were already injured and they were placed on the IR before ever playing a regular season game.

So on paper they kept 8, when in reality they kept 6 healthy WRs and kept 2 more so they could return from the IR later in the season, when the other WRs got injured, so they never had more than 6 healthy WRs.

As when Allison got injured and went to the IR, Davis returned from the IR and when Davis got injured for a second time, going to the IR, Kumerow returned.



No one likes releasing a rookie draft pick, but that doesn't mean teams don't do it...

Last couple of years they have released a number of 6th round draft picks.

But your right, usually top 4 rounds usually get at least a year. Very few exceptions in the top 4 rounds.

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Stop lobbying for Samori to be cut.😋He has a good chance to make this roster. This why I basically said goodbye to Malik Taylor in a earlier comment.

Training camp should be a blast. Watching this group of WRs fight for spots on this roster will be quite entertaining. Cobbie isn't guaranteed a spot on this roster yet either. I think his veteran leadership is very valuable, but if he looks washed up in camp, he could be gone by Sept. 1st. Not saying I want that, but it is reality.