Steelers Now
Every draft cycle, there’s always at least one wide receiver prospect who garners comparisons to Deebo Samuel. However, the league hasn’t quite figured out an identical clone for the former San Francisco 49ers second-round pick. The good news, for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is that the prototype is now available.
The writing for an eventual split has been on the wall for roughly a year now, with the Niners flirting with the idea of moving him dating back to last year’s NFL Draft. Following his least productive full season in 2024, Samuel has now made it clear that he’s ready for a change of scenery, as well.
The Steelers still have a significant need for more firepower offensively, particularly at the wide receiver position. It’s reasonable to assume that they will at least make an inquiry, but does a potential marriage between the two parties actually make sense?
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) February 12, 2025
Samuel is entering the final year of a lucrative three-year contract extension that he signed prior to the 2022 campaign and is owed $17.5 million in cash for this upcoming season. Because none of that money is guaranteed, there is a chance that he could get released outright, but San Francisco would obviously prefer to get something for his services before it comes to that, even if it’s a day three selection of some sort.
There’s no denying that Samuel has one of the most unique skillsets that we’ve seen enter the NFL in the past decade. Because of his unique build at every bit of 215 pounds and contact balance as a ball carrier, the 49ers have found a myriad of ways to get the football into his hands. They’ll align him both in the slot and out of the backfield with most of usage coming on screens, option routes and runaways. He’s always been one of the better plays at his position at creating yards after the catch, whether it’s his ability to quickly transition to becoming a runner, powering through arm tackles or simply fighting for excess yards by falling forward upon contact.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan has always made him a priority within their scheme by getting him matched up on linebackers as much as possible. He processes the leverage of second-level defenders well and some of his best moments last season came in these situations. Samuel has always knack for finding the soft spots in zone coverage, throttling down in space and working back to the quarterback. He’s been particularly dangerous on in-breakers because he understands timing and space, specializing in dig routes over the middle. So much of what the Niners have done offensively over the past five years has revolved around finding different ways to get him the ball in space.
Throughout his career, Deebo Samuel has been a zone coverage killer.
He's a menace on intermediate in-breakers, excels running dig routes over the middle.
If you hit...
