San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. looked slimmer during spring drills than he had last year, and he appears to have lost even more weight for the start of training camp. "I think he looks great," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the offense took its first snaps in 11-on-11 drills. "I thought he looked great in OTAs and minicamp. And I think he looks better today." The 49ers are practicing without two wideouts, Brandon Aiyuk and first-round pick Ricky Pearsall (hamstring), so Samuel's fantasy draft stock remains in a state of flux until a clearer picture emerges of how this receiving corps might look for the start of the regular season. The 28-year-old Pro Bowl wideout totaled 12 touchdowns in 15 appearances in 2023, placing second at his position in PPR fantasy points per route run (0.67) and first in fantasy points per target (2.74) over 89 targets, and he's being treated as a WR1 bet at his second-round ADP this summer.
Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel Likely To Stay With Niners In 2024
The San Francisco 49ers were engaged in trade talks involving wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel leading up to the draft, but the team elected not to trade either of their star receivers, with all signs pointing toward both being on the 2024 roster. Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the assumption was that he'd be the odd man out after the team paid Samuel and other star players. Samuel still has two years left on the deal he signed before the 2022 season. San Fran has been to at least the NFC Championship game in four of the last five seasons, and losing Aiyuk or Samuel would almost certainly make the team worse in 2024. The 49ers can afford to keep both this year, but an Aiyuk extension would likely reduce his $14.124 million salary cap number for 2024. Samuel's fantasy value would have likely taken a hit with a move out of the Bay Area.
After plenty of trade rumors swirling around wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk leading up to this year's draft, the San Francisco 49ers have not dealt either of them through the first three rounds. "We didn't entertain any of that today. We're happy with our wide receiver group. Actually, more than happy. We're thrilled with it. And thrilled to add Ricky to it to make it stronger," general manager John Lynch said. The Niners have definitely been listening to trade offers for both wideouts, but apparently they just haven't been able to work anything out. Aiyuk is looking for a new long-term deal as he heads into the final year of his rookie deal, while Samuel is set to count over $20 million against the salary cap next year. Something's got to give. Now that we're onto Day 3 of the 2024 NFL draft, it's more likely than not that both Aiyuk and Samuel will stick around for the 2024 season.
Bills, Patriots Unlikely To Trade For Deebo Samuel
The San Francisco 49ers have listened to calls on All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel, but sources are saying that the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots are considered highly unlikely to trade for him. After the first round of the 2024 NFL draft was completed on Thursday night, a report surfaced that the Niners were more likely to trade Samuel than Brandon Aiyuk. There has been a lot of trade talk around both Aiyuk and Samuel this offseason, and the Niners' first-round pick of receiver Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 on Thursday night made it look like a trade was more likely to happen. The Bills and Patriots have the first two picks in the second round, respectively, so if neither of them can pull off a trade for Samuel before Round 2 starts, they could both go with pass-catchers in what is a deep and talented class in 2024.
The Buffalo Bills have interest in trading for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, according to league sources. Now that the first round of the 2024 NFL draft is in the books, Niners wideout Brandon Aiyuk is less likely to be traded than Samuel, who has a 2025 salary cap number over $20 million. Not only are the Bills extremely desperate for a receiver after trading Stefon Diggs and losing Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason, but they acquired extra picks in this year's draft by trading down twice late in the first round on Thursday night. A move to Buffalo would immediately make Samuel the team's top wideout for Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen and allow him to retain plenty of fantasy value given his after-the-catch abilities. Stay tuned.
Patriots Discussed Trading For Deebo Samuel Prior To Draft
The New England Patriots had preliminary trade discussions on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel prior to the start of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, according to a source. Niners receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been in trade talks all offseason, but Samuel's name has surfaced of late, and a report on Thursday night suggested he's now more likely to be dealt by San Fran than Aiyuk. The 49ers also took wideout Ricky Pearsall with their first-round pick (31st overall) on Thursday night, suggesting they could be beefing up their receiver room in the event they trade one of Samuel or Aiyuk. The Patriots are desperate to add a receiver, especially after taking rookie quarterback Drake Maye third overall in the first round. Samuel's fantasy stock would take a big hit if he were to move to New England.
Niners "More Likely" To Deal Deebo Samuel Than Brandon Aiyuk
The San Francisco 49ers are "more likely" to trade wide receiver Deebo Samuel than Brandon Aiyuk during this year's 2024 NFL draft. Aiyuk's name has been mentioned in trade rumors all offseason, but now Samuel is the more likely pass-catcher to be dealt. Samuel, 28, is two years older than Aiyuk but has more versatility in the offense. However, Samuel also has a salary cap hit north of $20 million in 2025. Aiyuk is looking for a new long-term deal as he heads into the fifth and final contract of his rookie deal, but the Niners have been hesitant to give him a market deal given their other financial commitments. San Francisco took rookie pass-catcher Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in the first round on Thursday night, potentially foreshadowing a trade of either Samuel or Aiyuk in the coming days.
49ers Have Discussed Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk In Trade Talks
The San Francisco 49ers have been in trade rumors regarding star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk all offseason, but NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports the team has also talked with teams about trading fellow star wideout Deebo Samuel. Russini said one of the teams the 49ers have talked with currently holds a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, so a blockbuster deal could be in the works. Aiyuk is reportedly asking for more money than the 49ers are willing to give him, while Samuel has been in the trade rumor circles for multiple seasons. With high-priced assets like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner on the roster, the organization will have to make moves in order to re-sign quarterback Brock Purdy in the near future. If one of the wideouts is traded, they should retain plenty of fantasy value with their new team.
Deebo Samuel Inefficient, Hobbled In Super Bowl Loss
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) had a frustrating Sunday night in the team's 25-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. The former second-rounder fell to the turf, grabbing his leg in the third quarter but returned shortly after. While 49er fans and fantasy managers could breathe a sigh of relief when he returned, Samuel wasn't able to do much damage after -- or for that matter, before -- the injury. He finished the game with three catches on a game-high 11 targets for just 33 yards. San Francisco also attempted to get Samuel involved in the running game, giving him three carries which turned into just eight yards. He'll most likely be taken near the WR1/WR2 border when fantasy drafts happen in the fall.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) has returned to Sunday's Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. He suffered the injury on a non-contact play in which he was not the intended target. The 49ers initially listed him as questionable, but he checked back in for the first play of the next drive. At the time of his departure, the talented playmaker had seven targets, two catches, two rushes, and 23 scrimmage yards. His return puts the 49ers' offense back at full strength as they look to preserve their one-score lead over the Chiefs.
