Outside of the upcoming NFL Draft, the NFL’s headlines have been dominated by the receivers from the 2019 NFL Draft wanting new contracts. Many talented receivers came out of the 2019 NFL Draft. However, the ones drafted in the second round or later are entering a contract year and need a new deal. The four receivers who have dominated headlines as of late are D.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin, and Deebo Samuel. All four are considered among the best in the league and should be played as such on their next contracts.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on NFL Live that the 49ers are interested in getting a deal done with Samuel. But that it is Samuel who doesn’t want to sign with the 49ers for the long-term. If that is truly the case then the 49ers will have no choice but to trade Samuel similarly to how Tyreek Hill was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs. Samuel could be the highest-paid receiver in the league by the end of the offseason whether it is with the 49ers or not. Samuel could be making upwards of $30 million per year when this is finished.
This past season Samuel was voted to his first Pro Bowl and named First-Team All-Pro for the first time after putting up career highs. He had 77 receptions for 1,405 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. On top of that Samuel also had 59 rushing attempts for 365 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
Here are the teams who could acquire Deebo Samuel if the 49ers are forced into trading him:
New York Jets
New York Jets receive: Deebo Samuel, 2022 sixth-round pick (187th overall)
San Francisco 49ers receive: 2022 second-round pick (35th overall), 2022 second-round pick (38th overall pick), 2022 third-round pick (69th overall), 2023 third-round pick
If Deebo Samuel does get traded this offseason there is no clearer landing spot for him than the New York Jets. Earlier this offseason the Jets have tried to acquire/sign a few star wide receivers. They were close to acquiring Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs, but he ultimately decided to go to the Miami Dolphins.
Multiple coaches on the Jets roster were with the San Francisco 49ers prior to landing their current jobs including head coach Robert Saleh. New York’s offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur was the passing game coordinator for the 49ers during Samuel’s first two seasons in the league. His offense mirrors what Kyle Shanahan does in San Francisco. So Samuel should have little to no problem transitioning to the Jets’ offensive scheme. He could retain a lot of the designated plays Kyle Shanahan ran for him last season.
The trio of Samuel, Elijah Moore, and Corey Davis would be an outstanding trio for Zach Wilson to throw to in his second season in the league. Jets general manager Joe Douglas desperately wants to give Wilson a star-wide receiver. He may overpay the 49ers to ensure a deal gets done.
It would be realistic if Douglas added to what he offered the Chiefs for Hill. The 49ers may drive the price for Samuel past where it was for Hill because of the age difference. New York should pull the trigger to send a Day 2 pick from 2023 to San Francisco along with their second-round picks and third-round for this upcoming draft to add a weapon like Samuel to their roster.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons receive: Deebo Samuel
San Francisco 49ers receive: 2022 second-round pick (43rd overall), 2022 second-round pick (58th overall), 2022 third-round pick (82nd overall), 2023 third-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick
Even though the Atlanta Falcons are going through a major rebuild, it would be wise for them to check in on the availability of Deebo Samuel. They currently have the assets to acquire Samuel and could do so without parting with their first-round pick. The Falcons are also in desperate need of a wide receiver after Calvin Ridley was suspended and they lost Russell Gage in free agency.
Last season Falcons’ head coach was able to use Cordarrelle Patterson as an offensive weapon similar to how the 49ers used Samuel last season. If Atlanta was to acquire Samuel, Smith could make him the focal point of the offense lacking playmakers. The duo of Samuel and Kyle Pitts would be freakishly athletic targets for Marcus Mariota and whoever the Falcons eventually replace him with to throw to long-term. Their offense looks a ton of a lot better on paper if Samuel became joined Atlanta. Plus playing in Atlanta would give Samuel the opportunity to play closer to his home state of South Carolina.
As it currently stands the Falcons will have the cap space to sign Samuel to the extension. According to Spotrac, Atlanta is projected to have over $63 million in cap space in 2023. They could package both their second-round picks, one of their third-round picks, a future third-round pick, and a future fourth-round pick to the 49ers to add a young star receiver in Samuel who will be the focal point of this offense with Kyle Pitts for years to come.
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears receive: Deebo Samuel
San Francisco 49ers receive: 2022 second-round pick (39th overall), 2022 second-round pick (48th overall), 2022 fifth-round pick (148th overall), 2023 fourth-round pick
This offseason has been about the Chicago Bears tearing down the roster to build for the future. The new administration removed many of the large defensive contracts on the roster to free up space to help Justin Fields next offseason when all the money comes off the books. Chicago does have a need for a wide receiver after Allen Robinson left to sign with the Los Angeles Rams earlier in the offseason.
Second-year receiver Darnell Mooney emerged as the team’s number one receiver over former Pro Bowler Allen Robinson. But the Bears could use a more trustworthy top receiver to pair with Mooney. Samuel would be a major upgrade over Equanimeous St. Brown and Byron Pringle who are currently listed as starters. Justin Fields could be in for a breakout year if his primarily offensive weapons include Samuel, Mooney, St. Brown, Pringle, Cole Kmet, and David Montgomery.
As it currently stands the Bears will have the cap space to sign Samuel to the extension. According to Spotrac, Chicago is projected to have over $122 million in cap space in 2023. That is the most salary cap available in the league. They could package both their second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, and a future fourth-round pick to the 49ers to give Justin Fields the number one receiver he needs.
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts: Deebo Samuel
San Francisco 49ers: 2022 second-round pick (42nd overall), 2022 third-round pick (73rd overall), 2022 fifth-round pick (159th overall), 2023 second-round pick
The Indianapolis Colts have been no stranger to making big moves this offseason. After trading Carson Wentz to Washington, the Colts have traded for Matt Ryan, traded for Yannick Ngakoue, and signed Stephon Gilmore. They could put a bow on this offseason by trading for another wide receiver in Deebo Samuel. A trade like this could be enough to send the Colts over the top.
Indianapolis has needed a wide receiver for the past couple of seasons. First, it was a receiver to compliment T.Y. Hilton, but now they need a receiver to compliment Michael Pittman Jr. and replace Hilton. Samuel has a much different skill set than Hilton but could be a great addition to this talented offense. Indianapolis would arguably have two of the three most dominant rushers from a season ago in Samuel and Jonathan Taylor.
As it currently stands the Colts will have the cap space to sign Samuel to the extension. According to Spotrac, Chicago is projected to have over $66 million in cap space in 2023. Colts’ general manager doesn’t have a long history of signing free agents but has no problem paying his own guys or free agents he acquires. Ballard has a history of making blockbuster deals with 49ers general manager John Lynch. Back in 2020, the Colts traded their first-round pick to the 49ers for Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
Indianapolis should package their second-round pick, a third-round pick, one of their fifth-round picks, and next year’s second-round pick to add Samuel to an outstanding offense that feels like they are a dominant receiver away from being elite.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers receive: Deebo Samuel, 2022 second-round pick (61st overall)
San Francisco 49ers receive: 2022 first-round pick (22nd overall), 2022 first-round pick (28th overall), 2022 fifth-round pick (171st pick)
Green Bay’s offseason has been defined by the blockbuster trade they made with the Las Vegas Raiders which netted them a first and second-round pick for All-Pro receiver Davante Adams. The newly extended Aaron Rodgers now desperately needs weapons in order to compete in a top-heavy NFC. Green Bay is expected to trade for a veteran receiver or select one early in the upcoming draft.
The Packers’ wide receiver depth chart is Allen Lazard, veteran receiver Sammy Watkins, veteran Randall Cobb, and 2021 third-round pick Amari Rodgers. All could be solid complementary receivers, but none of them are number one receivers that could put a major dent into the production they are losing now that Adams is gone. Deebo Samuel would be a natural fit for this offense that has Kyle Shanahan roots. If Samuel could quickly develop chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, he could see the target share that Adams saw over the last few seasons. Samuel’s production would be dangerous if he saw a role as large as Adams received in Green Bay’s offense.
As it currently stands the Packers just barely have the cap space to sign Samuel to the extension. According to Spotrac, Green Bay is projected to have over $32 million in cap space in 2023. So they would need to move some money around next offseason to sign free agents and add rookies that offseason. But it would be worth it to give Rodgers a talented receiver of Samuel’s caliber.
It would be interesting to see if San Francisco would be willing to send Samuel to Green Bay. The two have a long history of playing each other in the playoffs in recent years. Green Bay also was insulted last offseason when San Francisco checked on the availability of Aaron Rodgers. The 49ers could very well keep that energy if the Packers call about Samuel without offering major compensation.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys receive: Deebo Samuel
San Francisco 49ers: 2022 first-round pick (24th overall), 2022 second-round pick (56th pick)
The Dallas Cowboys have had a brutal offseason thus far. After dumping Amari Cooper’s salary to the Cleveland Browns, Dallas lost Randy Gregory, La’El Collins, Cedrick Wilson, and Connor Williams in free agency. This offense is in need of another playmaker to replace Cooper. After failing to acquire DeVante Parker, the Dallas Cowboys could make a blockbuster deal to acquire a star receiver like Deebo Samuel.
It appears that the plan to replace Cooper was to resign Wilson to have a full-time role in this offense. However, the team was blindsided by him signing with the Dolphins and now currently has James Washington as their third receiver. CeeDee Lamb has to take a leap forward and answer any questions anyone has about him being a number one receiver. Michael Gallup will miss time early in the season with a torn ACL leaving a major void on this offense.
Deebo Samuel would not only bring a new element to this offense but he would be an upgrade over what Amari Cooper was last season. Gallup could return to his WR3 role for Dallas and the Cowboys would have two WR1s on their offense. The Cowboys would arguably have the most talented offense in the league if they acquired Samuel.
Dallas has a lot of needs across their roster that they need to address. However, Jerry Jones is never afraid to make a flashy move to add some firepower to his offense. He could realistically trade Dallas’ first and second-round picks to the 49ers for Samuel as a final attempt to replace Cooper before the draft.
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers like Chris Thomas!