Louis Riddick on having to play Deebo Samuel in the 90s: ‘That guy will snatch your heart away’

Louis Riddick is not just an incredible NFL analyst and potential general manager candidate, but he’s a former NFL player as well.

More than many, Riddick is uniquely qualified to both discuss the NFL and analyze its players, and that makes his latest assessment of San Francisco 49ers’ star Deebo Samuel even more potent.

Samuel, who just received a three-year contract extension from the 49ers, is arguably the best all-around offensive player in the game. He’s just as effective for the 49ers as a pass catcher as he is running the ball, and head coach Kyle Shanahan has no problem using his vast array of talents to the 49ers’ benefit.

At 6-foot, 215 pounds, Samuel has the power and stout center of gravity as a running back, but he also has the speed and ability to make defenders miss in space as a top receiver. It was no suprise then when he caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns last season while also rushing 59 times for 365 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

For his part, Riddick, a former NFL safety, admitted that he would have had no desire to meet up with Samuel on the field back when he played in the 90s.