Sam Webb came out of the 2022 NFL Draft as a UDFA Cornerback from Missouri Western State of the Mid-American Conference (Division II College Football). There was no high-standard nor any expectations on the young corner, until an unexpected turn of events led to Webb to be designated as the starting corner for several games. There were ups and downs, but the Raiders’ Front Office, Coaches, and fanbase recognized and acknowledged the UDFA’s potential. This also includes Las Vegas’ Super-Star Receiver, Davante Adams, who stated during the OTAs Press Conference: “Sam has that edge…I see the growth, I’d shoot myself in the foot, tell him something and he’ll actually play better based on that, but that’s what we want…I respect that about him…it’s why I gravitate towards him”.
Now, the discussion that is transpiring after this statement, is if Sam Webb possesses the capability to take the next step into his career. This next step would be the possibility of going from a UDFA rookie, who had to fight his way into the depths of the 53-Man roster, to a rotational-starter of the defensive secondary. Before any speculation or predictions are made, let’s have an analysis into Sam Webb’s production. This will be going from his college years to his NFL rookie season.
The Missouri Western State Griffons (2017-22)
College Statistics:
● Games Played: 44
○ Games Started: 41
● Total Tackles: 109
○ Solo Tackles: 92
○ Tackles For Loss: 1
● Forced Fumbles: 3
● Fumbles Recovered: 3
● Pass-Breakups: 40
● Interceptions: 7
○ Non-Offensive Yardage: 110
○ Non-Offensive Touchdowns: 1 ● Kicks Blocked: 4
College Honors & Awards: ● 2018
○ All-MIAA Honorable Mention
● 2019
○ 1st-Team Don Hansen All-Super Region
○ All-MIAA 1st-Team
○ D2CCA All-Region 2nd-Team
● 2021
○ All-MIAA 2nd-Team
For context, Sam Webb was deemed as arguably the best defensive player coming out of the Mid-American Conference. Webb was projected as a possible Day-3 Pickup (or at worst one the most sought after UDFAs) if he declared for the 2020 Draft due to being nominated and awarded several opportunities for his top-tier 2019-20 season production:
● Games Played: 12
○ Season-Starter
● Total Tackles: 29
○ Solo Tackles: 24
○ Tackles For Loss: 1
● Forced Fumbles: 1
● Fumbles Recovered: 1
● Pass-Breakups: 15
● Interceptions: 3
● Kicks Blocked: 2
(Obvious reasoning of being a Day-3 Pick would be for playing within Division II of the NCAA)
However, Webb wanted to continue his dominating campaign through the 2020-21 season in order to obtain official interests of NFL scouts. Sadly though, like most, Webb was negatively affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic due to the season being canceled. This would still affect Webb later on, as his 2021-22 season would not be as productive as his previous seasons:
● Games Played: 10
○ Games Started: 10
● Total tackles: 30
○ Solo Tackles: 28
● Forced Fumbles: 2
● Fumbles Recovered: 1
● Pass-Breakups: 6
● Kicks Blocked: 2
After the 2021-22 college season, Sam Webb would need a lot of luck on his side for any NFL team to see him worthy to have a shot at the league in any way. After the 2022 NFL Draft, Sam Webb’s luck was indeed on his side, due to the Las Vegas Raiders’ signing Sam Webb as an NFL UDFA. All Sam Webb needed to do from that moment onward is to prove his worth to be apart of any level of the team.
The Las Vegas Raiders (Rookie Campaign: 2022-23)
Sam Webb started on the bottom sections of the 90-Man Roster during the summer. Getting a few awes and glares. But when the NFL pre-season came along, many eyes were starting to fall for Webb. Webb was no slouch during the pre-season, advocating as a playmaking corner whenever positioned on-field:
● Games Played: 4
● Total Tackles: 16
○ Solo Tackles: 13
● Fumbles Forced: 1 (unofficially)
● Fumbles Recovered: 1
● Pass-Breakups: 2
During the aftermath of the pre-season, Webb was placed on the official 53-Man Roster as the 5th depth-piece of the Cornerback room. Webb was placed behind Nate Hobbs, Rock Ya-Sin, Amik Robertson, and Anthony Averett. Obviously later on, during the NFL regular season, many players on the defensive roster were being sent to the IR or on the bench due to injuries. The roster became so depleted, that several UDFAs (including Sam Webb) became starters on the defensive side of the ball. Sam Webb did struggle at first, his first NFL game as an NFL starter didn’t go as well as many would’ve hoped:
Week 10: @ Denver Broncos ● Total Tackles: 3
○ Solo Tackles: 3
● Completions / Targets Allowed: 6 / 6 (100%)
● Passing Yards Allowed: 108
○ Yards per Completion Allowed: 18
● Touchdowns Allowed: 1
● Passer-Rating Allowed 118.8
However, Webb has had more ups than downs despite his rookie mistakes. Other than his first NFL Game as an official starter, Webb’s playmaking on-field was in fact more productive than most would believe:
● Total Games: 8
● Total Tackles: 33
○ Solo Tackles: 23
● Forced Fumbles: 1
● Completions / Targets Allowed: 25 / 38 (65.8%)
● Passing Yards Allowed: 229
○ Yards per Completion Allowed: 9.2
● Touchdowns Allowed: 0
● Pass-Breakups: 3
● Passer-Rating Allowed: 82
What’s Going On With Webb Now?
After the 2022-23 season came to a close, the Raiders coaching staff were beginning to admire Webb’s leadership and ability to handle adversity when he was deemed unready or invaluable. Fast-Forward to the present… Sam Webb is already guaranteed by most to be on the 53-Man Roster again, but this time, fighting for the CB2-3 spots. Sure there is a mid to high chance Webb won’t be the CB2 or 3. However, when you add the fact that Super-Star Receiver Davante Adams has not only given praise but respect to Sam Webb’s abilities, there may be some hope that the UDFA has indeed improved greatly from his rookie season. How great would this improvement be? We might never know, until we see it all on the field.
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