With J.K. Dobbins out for the season because of a torn Achilles, former Baltimore Ravens defensive back Samari Rolle thinks his old squad must find someone who can fill the void left by the explosive back, not just a committee approach.
Samari Rolle
All-Pro Cornerback
Samari Rolle is a former NFL defensive back who played for the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens from 1998 to 2009. In 2000, he earned All-Pro honors and was voted to the Pro Bowl.
Rolle, considered one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in the NFL, was a member of the Titans’ Super Bowl XXXIV team.
Rolle joined the Titans as a second-round pick in 1998 after an all-conference career at Florida State University, where he continued the school’s run of excellence at the position. The peak of his four years at Florida State came as a senior when he was voted to the All-ACC team and was a third-team All-American.
He was a starter as a rookie and soon showed his ball-hawking skills with a three-interception game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, tying a Titans franchise mark.
He would make 435 tackles, 31 interceptions and break up 112 passes during his 11-season career. Teams often would build game plans on offense to avoid Rolle.
Rolle hails from Miami Beach, where he attended Miami Beach Senior High School. He earned Prep Defensive Player of the Year honors while being chosen to the Super 24 Florida-Georgia game roster. He was a high school teammate with future Pro Bowler Duane Starks, and Rolle wore the number 22 as a tribute to Starks.
Rolle currently lives in Florida with his wife, and his football career continues as a high school coach.
Patriots “Hit the Jackpot” With Christian Gonzalez Draft Pick
When the New England Patriots selected Christian Gonzalez (scouting report) at No. 17 overall, Samari Rolle could not believe the value they got. In Rolle’s mind, Gonzalez was the top cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Commanders’ Decision to Draft Emmanuel Forbes Was ‘Outstanding’
Former NFL defensive back and analyst for the 33rd Team Samari Rolle breaks down the Washington Commanders‘ outstanding decision to select cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (scouting report) with their first-round draft pick.
Seahawks Pairing Devon Witherspoon with Tariq Woolen Is Great Pick
Samari Rolle reacts to the Seattle Seahawks drafting Devon Witherspoon (scouting report) with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Why Lamar Jackson Re-Signing With Ravens Is Surprising
MVP-caliber quarterbacks rarely get to their fifth-option year, let alone receive the franchise tag. After all the drama Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens went through this offseason, Samari Rolle did not expect a quarterback of Jackson’s caliber to re-sign after dealing with that level of strife.
2023 NFL Draft: Don’t Sleep on Florida DT Gervon Dexter
There’s not much hype surrounding Gervon Dexter (scouting report). Samari Rolle explains why the 6-foot-6 defensive tackle from Florida has the potential to have a solid NFL career.
2023 NFL Draft: Ranking Top 3 Ballhawks in This Year’s Class
The 2023 NFL Draft will be full of defensive backs with the potential to transform an NFL defense by creating turnovers. Here are the top three prospects most likely to become game-changing NFL ballhawks. Top Ballhawks in 2023 NFL Draft 3. Jordan Battle Alabama safeties typically aren’t known as ballhawks or make a lot […]
2023 NFL Draft: Devon Witherspoon Ultimate Competitor at CB, But Questions Remain
Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon (scouting report) may not be the largest defensive back in the 2023 NFL Draft class, but he has earned rave reviews for the physical way he plays the position and the variety of ways he can use that physicality in different spots on the field. In examining Witherspoon’s tape, former NFL […]
2023 NFL Draft: Christian Gonzalez Has ‘Highest Upside’ of All DBs
Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez (scouting report) followed up an incredible lone season with the Ducks by testing as one of the most athletic players at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. His first-round status is secure, and in examining his film, former NFL defensive backs Samari Rolle and Tank Williams explain why Gonzalez is the best […]
2023 NFL Draft: Alabama’s Brian Branch Worth Comparisons to Minkah Fitzpatrick, Tyrann Mathieu
Alabama’s Brian Branch (scouting report) is a projected first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the top-ranked safety on The 33rd Team’s Big Board and a versatile defensive back who can line up in multiple spots for a team as a rookie. Samari Rolle and Tank Williams say Branch reminds them of a pair of […]