Deebo Samuel 2023 Outlook
Samuel is a true wild card due to his significant drop in production last season and San Francisco's uncertain quarterback situation. When Samuel's career is over, that marvelous 2021 campaign will likely be looked back as the best season of his career. What's harder to ascertain is how much he can rebound after last season's down year in which his receiving yardage dropped by more than 50 percent. The 49ers remain committed to using him as a running back at times, and the physicality of the position sometimes adds up. With Christian McCaffrey on the squad, San Francisco could limit those Samuel carries. Despite his game-breaking speed, Samuel has fewer touchdown receptions than rushing scores. San Francisco is waiting to see how 2022 undrafted sensation Brock Purdy recovers from major elbow before it can sort out a quarterback situation that includes newcomer Sam Darnold. Former first-round pick Trey Lance sustained a serious injury last season before he could establish a rapport with Samuel and could be back in the starting role. Samuel's only 100-yard outing last season came with departed Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback.
Deebo Samuel 2022 Outlook
The 49ers didn't trade Samuel during the 2022 NFL draft, but the wide receiver still wants to be moved, even if it could take a long time this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "This could be a long process," Fowler reported in early May. "I'm told Deebo still is dug in, still wants to be traded, but knows this could drag out for a while. ..." The 49ers had offers. "Nothing was remotely close to what we thought was fair to us or the 49ers," head coach Kyle Shanahan said about Samuel trade talks during the draft. ... Samuel officially requested a trade in April after coming off the best year of his career. With wide receivers like Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs getting big new contracts this offseason, Samuel wants a big pay raise as well. He is due a $3.986 million base salary this season, the final year of his rookie contract. Easily lost in all this, Samuel was named first-team All-Pro after totaling 1,405 receiving yards, 365 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns from scrimmage. The versatility made him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NFL, but the usage apparently was also a major issue for Samuel. Of course, that rushing equity is why Samuel is so valuable. This one bears watching -- even as it seems to be cooling down. Samuel's best chance of playing up to his ceiling is remaining in San Francisco.
Deebo Samuel 2021 Outlook
As ESPN's Mike Clay noted, like an absurdly-large percentage of the 49ers' roster, Samuel suffered through an injury-plagued 2020 campaign. When healthy, Samuel is a dynamic weapon for Kyle Shanahan's offense. He had the second-most receiving yards by a rookie in franchise history in 2019 with 802, and his 212 fantasy points were 23rd among wide receivers. In 2020, Samuel only played seven games but averaged a hefty 25 percent target share (8.2 per game) while also handling 4 percent of the team's carries. And much like there is for teammate Brandon Aiyuk, there's ample reason to believe we haven't seen the ceiling here. Aside from the obvious -- the fact that starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo missed most of the season, forcing Samuel to work alongside two different backups in C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens -- Clay notes there was another issue worth pointing out: Samuel, Aiyuk and George Kittle played in only three full games together (Weeks 5-7), and the targets those weeks were as follows: Kittle (25), Samuel (19) and Aiyuk (17). This talented trio has a lot of upside, especially with an anticipated upgrade at QB, whether it's a healthy Garoppolo or promising rookie Trey Lance.
