Niners Nation
The interest in any potential Deebo Samuel trade will determine whether the 49ers cut him or not.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel requested a trade during the player exit interviews. Whether Deebo is traded or released remains to be seen. The latter depends on how many potential suitors there are for Samuel in the trade market.
CBS Sports devised three proposals that would send Deebo to the AFC. Neither trade netted the 49ers anything higher than a fourth-round pick in return.
The first hypothetical trade involves the Pittsburgh Steelers:
49ers get: 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 122)
Steelers get: Deebo Samuel
ESPN surmised that a Day 3 pick may be what Samuel ultimately fetches on the trade market. Getting a selection just outside the top 100 would be a solid return for San Francisco
I’m not sure it’s as simple as, “Hey, they were interested in Brandon Aiyuk. Surely, they’ll be intrigued by Deebo Samuel.”
Pittsburgh's quarterback situation is a major concern, making the Steelers less attractive than other options. However, that bargaining chip could work in the Niners' favor, leading Pittsburgh to pay more for a wide receiver.
The next team we believe is the best fit for Deebo is the Denver Broncos.
49ers get: 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 120)
Broncos get: Deebo Samuel
Samuel may have his eyes set on the Broncos, judging how the receiver spoke about the organization earlier this offseason. He told Bleacher Report that Denver could be a team on the rise but needs ”a couple more pieces” to take the next step. Could he be one of those pieces? The Broncos could use another pass catcher to complement Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr., and Samuel would be a fascinating chess piece for Sean Payton at the ”joker’ position. Given Samuel’s prowess to work as a traditional receiver and his ability to line up in the backfield, Payton could have a field day with him in his offense.
Pairing Deebo with a team that has an established No. 1 wideout and Marvin Mims makes plenty of sense. It’s an offense that relies heavily on throwing the ball within ten yards of the line of scrimmage. Samuel would almost assuredly bring value to Denver’s backfield, too.
The final proposal involves the New England Patriots and their fourth-rounder:
49ers get: 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 107)
Patriots get: Deebo Samuel
Samuel would bolster a receiver room that has been starved of top talent for years and could prove to be a go-to target for rising second-year quarterback Drake Maye. New England has the most cap space in the league this offseason, so a trade for Samuel wouldn’t preclude them from making other necessary moves to improve the roster and even adding more pass-catching help. As for the 49ers, this would be their most ideal outcome out of the three proposed deals, with the Patriots pick coming near the top of...
