Disgruntled San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was traded to the Washington Commanders today. The 49ers will receive the Commander’s 2025 5th-round draft pick in exchange for him. The trade will not be official until the start of the new league year on March 12.
This is a trade that has been long in the making. The team originally contemplated trading Samuel before the 2024 draft, but a deal never materialized. Samuel also indicated that he was ready for a move at that time.
Samuel in San Francisco
The 49ers selected Deebo out of South Carolina in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He had a productive rookie season, finishing the year with 57 receptions, and was a standout in San Francisco’s 31-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. But he suffered a frustrating sophomore season as he missed significant playing time, first with a stay on the non-football injury list and then in November due to a bout with COVID-19.
But in 2021, he put it all together. That is the season he became recognized as the most dangerous double-threat in the NFL. For the season, he caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns. As a runner, he gained 365 yards and scored eight touchdowns. He invented the term “wide back” to refer to his position as a wide receiver who also played running back. Hamstring and ankle injuries forced him to miss action in the 2022 season as his receptions dropped to 56, and he only scored five touchdowns.
He rebounded in 2023, catching 60 passes for 862 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns through the air and on the ground. But he had a down year in 2024, as he and quarterback Brock Purdy were not in sync. He ended the season with only 51 catches and three receiving touchdowns.
Daniels to Samuel
The Commanders paid a very small price to acquire a receiver of Samuel’s stature, but the deal provided the 49ers with a huge salary dump. He will carry a $15,825,505 cap hit this year. Samuel now gets to pair up with Jayden Daniels in Kliff Kingsbury’s high-flying offense, and the sparks should be flying. He will also play opposite the outstanding Terry McLauren, with dynamic running back Brian Robinson Jr. leading the running attack. This should lead to a high-octane offensive circus for the Commanders every week.
And the 49ers
With Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk not far behind, the spotlight will be on second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall to take over the #1 receiver spot for San Francisco. They will also take a swing at acquiring another top-flight receiver, such as Tee Higgins or Stefon Diggs.
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