Deebo Samuel

Jets Are “Front-Runners” To Acquire 49ers WR Deebo Samuel

April 27th, 2022 at 6:01pm CST by Ben Levine

We heard previously that the Jets were “all in” on 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel, and it sounds like their aggressive stance has made them the favorites in the Deebo sweepstakes. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Jets are considered to be the “front-runners” for the wideout.

Despite Samuel asking out of San Francisco, John Lynch and the 49ers front office publicly stated an unwilligness to engage in trade talks. However, Fowler writes that the organization is “at least listening” to pitches from suitors. The team’s public stubbornness could ultimately be posturing in pursuit of extra assets in a trade.

While the Jets remain the favorite to acquire the talented wideout, the Lions and Packers continue to have interest, echoing a report from the other day. However, a source believes it would take a haul for Green Bay to acquire Samuel from an NFC rival.

New York currently holds the No. 4 and No. 10 selections in tomorrow’s draft, and Jets GM Joe Douglas is prepared to use the latter choice as part of a package to acquire Samuel. The All-Pro wideout, meanwhile, wants a deal with an AAV of at least $25MM, and while that’s a hefty sum, the Jets were willing to dole out that kind of money for Tyreek Hill.

Last week, Samuel requested a trade from the 49ers. The request wasn’t entirely about money; rather, Samuel is also hesitant about his increased usage as a running back. The 49ers gave the physical receiver 59 carries last season, tying Tavon Austin‘s 2017 output for the most by a wide receiver since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

Packers, Lions Interested In Deebo Samuel?

April 25th, 2022 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Staying in character, the Jets are prepared to make an offer involving the No. 10 overall pick for Deebo Samuel. In addition to the persistent wide receiver-chasing team, NFC squads are interested in the disgruntled 49er.

The Lions and Packers are believed to be on the radar for Samuel, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). Green Bay is on the verge of entering the draft with a glaring hole at the position, and although Detroit saw Amon-Ra St. Brown progress down the stretch last season, Samuel would step in as a clear-cut No. 1 weapon with the rebuilding team. The prospective price would hover around a mid-first-round pick, per Rapoport. The 49ers dealt DeForest Buckner for a mid-first-rounder in 2020, doing so after extension talks reached a price point too high for the team.

Of course, this all might be premature. The 49ers are not believed to be listening to Samuel proposals, and while John Lynch said these recent hiccups have surprised the team, the plan remains to find a way to salvage this partnership.

“I can’t ever imagine wanting to move on from Deebo,” Lynch said Monday. “He’s just too good of a player. You don’t let guys like that walk.”

Samuel trade rumors have only emerged in the past week, though the trade-and-extend sequences involving Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill have impacted the receiver market for several weeks. The 49ers have planned Samuel and Nick Bosa extensions, but the team’s initial offer — less than $19MM per year — did not go over well with the All-Pro wideout. Samuel submitted a trade request last week, with issues like his frequent backfield usage and not wanting to live in California any longer surfacing. The 49ers, however, have thus far closed off this route.

The 49ers trading their top receiver to the Packers, one of their top conference rivals, seems farfetched. An interconference deal to the Jets would add up, especially given ex-49ers coach Mike LaFleur running the Jets’ offense. The Lions (Nos. 2 and 32), Jets (Nos. 4 and 10) and Packers (Nos. 22 and 28) each have two first-round picks, providing additional ammo in the event the 49ers do decide to enter trade talks. The team still holds considerable leverage, with Samuel under contract through 2022 and the franchise tag in play for 2023, but may well be able to recoup better value ahead of the draft.

Draft Rumors: Jets, Dean, Walker, Hill, Hamilton

April 24th, 2022 at 4:23pm CST by Ely Allen

Both New York teams are in the enviable position of having two top-ten picks in Thursday’s first-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Jets have made it clear that they are prepared to use their No. 10 overall pick in order to acquire 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who requested a trade this week.

According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, league sources believe the Jets will use the No. 4 overall pick to address their defense, despite recent chatter that they may be targeting NC State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu. Pauline reports that he has heard that “the coaches love Kayvon Thibodeaux, but front office personnel have a lot of concerns.”

Thibodeuax has seen his stock drop since the tail end of the college football season with questionable concerns over his motor and effort. Coaches, though, see his ability and potential and, understandably, want him on their defense.

Here are a few more Draft rumors from Pauline’s article concerning some risers and fallers:

Pauline claims there’s a 50/50 chance that Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean goes in the first round. Dean led the National Champion Bulldogs in tackles for loss and was second on the team in both total tackles and sacks. He’s a talented prospect, but teams desire to have the fifth-year option at their disposal for other positions such as cornerback, receiver, or quarterback.
Dean’s teammate, fellow Georgia linebacker Quay Walker, has been soaring up the boards lately. Like Dean, it’s unlikely Walker hears his name called on Day 1, but it’s looking more and more likely that he won’t last long in the second round of the Draft.
Michigan safety Daxton Hill has been the consensus second-best safety prospect for all of the offseason. While he’s been rising up boards as teams begin to realize his versatility and ability to play as a free safety, in the box safety, or even over a slot receiver, he’s still unlikely to be selected in the first round. Hill is another player expected to be drafted early into Day 2.
The top consensus safety prospect on the board, Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton, has been dropping in popularity in the days leading up to the Draft. It won’t be enough for him to lose his title as the top-ranked safety over Hill or even enough to drop him out of the first round, but for a player that is consistently considered a top-ten or even top-five prospect in the Draft, this fall is potentially costing him top money. Pauline reports that league sources see Hamilton going around picks 15 to 20.

Jets “All In” On Deebo Samuel

April 24th, 2022 at 10:49am CST by Rory Parks

The Jets have been connected to virtually every wide receiver who is, was, or could be on the trade block this offseason, and they are “all in” on 49ers WR Deebo Samuel, as Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network reports. New York currently holds the Nos. 4 and 10 overall selections in this week’s draft, and GM Joe Douglas is prepared to use the No. 10 choice as part of a package to acquire Samuel, who has requested a trade.

As Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes, Douglas would obviously prefer to acquire Samuel without giving up either of his top-10 picks, though that seems like a pipe dream. San Francisco is said to have “zero intention” of trading its dynamic offensive weapon, and Cimini writes that, if the Niners do elect to make Samuel available, the Jets expect them to “ask for the moon.” Several days ago, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv reported that the 49ers are not even listening to offers at this time.

Assuming San Francisco power brokers John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan do not deviate from that position, the Jets are going to have fill their WR need through the draft. Which may not be a bad thing. There are plenty of talented wideouts in this year’s collegiate class, and such a player would be cost-controlled for at least three seasons. Samuel, meanwhile, wants a deal with an AAV of at least $25MM, and though the Jets were willing to dole out that kind of money for Tyreek Hill, it’s still a steep price to pay, especially when combined with the draft capital that it will take to acquire Samuel.

The 49ers, who are coming off an NFC Championship Game appearance and who have designs on making another deep postseason run, obviously want to give presumptive QB Trey Lance as many weapons as possible. While the Jets’ No. 10 pick and (presumably) a handful of other draft choices would help to mitigate the loss of Samuel and would keep a hefty cap charge off the books in the coming seasons, Lance’s rookie contract affords plenty of cap flexibility in the near-term, and Samuel’s All-Pro presence would be difficult to replace.

Samuel is prepared to sit out the 49ers’ offseason program until he and the team reach an agreement on a long-term pact.

Latest On 49ers, Deebo Samuel

April 21st, 2022 at 3:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although John Lynch said the 49ers had a Deebo Samuel extension budgeted, the team’s initial offer appears to be a key reason why the fourth-year wide receiver requested a trade.

Other factors are in play for Samuel, but ProFootballNetwork.com’s Tony Pauline reports the 49ers opened talks with an offer worth less than $19MM per year. Believed to be targeting a deal in the $25MM AAV range, Samuel soon removed all things 49ers from his social media accounts. Then, his trade request became public.

Following the market-shifting Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill deals, 11 wide receivers earn more than $19MM annually now. Brandin Cooks just signed an extension worth more than $19MM per year. Given Samuel’s age and importance to a San Francisco offense that is likely to feature a new starting quarterback soon, it is understandable his camp has set a much higher baseline.

The 49ers are expected to exhaust every non-trade solution here, but Samuel’s desire to play closer to home is now surfacing as well. The South Carolina native and ex-Gamecock no longer wants to play in California, according to NBC Sports’ Chris Simms and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (video link). This certainly could also be a negotiating tactic from Samuel’s side, though the longstanding draft system that disperses prospects throughout the country certainly causes major adjustments for young players. Of course, this setup is not going away anytime soon.

Samuel, A.J. Brown and Terry McLaurin are staying away from their respective teams’ offseason programs, as they strive for new contracts and/or trades. Some around the league do not expect Samuel’s next deal to match Brown’s, Pauline adds, though of this talented 2019 receiver class, only Samuel has earned an All-Pro nod. That came partially due to Samuel’s rushing production from his wideout position last season. That atypical workload has emerged as a reason for Samuel’s trade request, creating one of the more interesting situations in recent receiver history.

Chiefs Unlikely To Trade For Samuel, Other Top WRs

April 21st, 2022 at 10:01am CST by Adam La Rose

In the aftermath of Deebo Samuel‘s trade request, attention has turned to which teams could make the most sense as potential destinations. Given the state of their wide receiver room, the Chiefs have been named as a team which would, presumably, be interested in adding him. As noted by NFL Network’s Jeffri Chadiha, however, such a move doesn’t appear to be forthcoming (Twitter link).

He reports that a trade for not only Samuel, but other top young wideouts like A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and Terry McLaurin “isn’t likely”. Brown and McLaurin are expected to skip the voluntary portions of their team’s offseason programs, leading to speculation they too could be on the move. Chadiha has been told, however, that those options “are probably all long shots at this point”.

The Chiefs traded away Tyreek Hill after they couldn’t reach an agreement regarding a new contract. They have since made two veteran additions in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but many expect more to come. Currently listed as having more than $18MM in cap space, Kansas City could easily accommodate the final year of those 2019 draftees’ rookie contracts, though negotiations on an extension would of course be another matter altogether.

The Chiefs also have the 29th and 30th overall picks in next week’s draft, so they will have the option to add a significant pass-catcher that way. It appears that – or the remaining waves of free agency – will remain the most likely route the team takes to try to maintain their passing attack’s strength in Hill’s absence.

49ers Not Expected To Trade Deebo Samuel

April 20th, 2022 at 3:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Preparing to start the Trey Lance era, the 49ers are — as of now, at least — not planning to deal away their most versatile weapon. Deebo Samuel‘s trade request is not expected to lead to a deal, with The Athletic’s Connor Hughes noting the 49ers have “zero intention” of parting ways with the All-Pro weapon (Twitter link).

Employing former 49ers assistant Mike LaFleur as their offensive coordinator and having not exactly kept a secret they are chasing wide receivers, the Jets do not expect Samuel to be dealt — unless a team submits a monster offer — according to USA Today’s Josina Anderson (on Twitter). Gang Green has monitored Samuel’s market, along with D.K. Metcalf‘s, after striking out on wideouts earlier this offseason. No deal is imminent, though NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show this trade request occurred weeks ago (video link).

The Jets have two top-10 picks, a low-cost quarterback and staffers familiar with Samuel’s talents; they would make sense as perhaps the lead suitor here. They were prepared to pay Tyreek Hill a top-market contract. Samuel, 26, is two years younger and coming off his first All-Pro campaign. A team parting with a stronger offer than what it took for the Dolphins to acquire Hill would likely be necessary here, Hughes adds.

The 49ers have eyed a Samuel extension for a while now, with John Lynch indicating in February such a deal has been budgeted. Removing Samuel from the 49ers’ first Lance-directed offense would create an immense challenge for Kyle Shanahan. San Francisco has Lance tied to a rookie deal, opening the door for Samuel and Nick Bosa re-ups. This regime did trade DeForest Buckner after intending to extend him, but Samuel has proven essential at a thinner position for the 49ers compared to their defensive line surplus at the time of the Buckner deal.

Samuel’s hesitancy about a 49ers extension does involve his increased usage as a running back, Pelissero adds. The 49ers gave the physical receiver 59 carries last season, tying Tavon Austin‘s 2017 output for the most by a wide receiver since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Samuel is the only player in NFL history to compile 1,400-plus receiving yards and 300-plus rushing yards in a season. Although Samuel averaged 6.2 yards per carry, concerns about wear and tear are understandable here. This is an issue the other teams with contract-year wideouts do not have to navigate and one of the more intriguing wrinkles affecting a player’s long-term future with a team to surface in a while.

49ers’ Deebo Samuel Requests Trade

April 20th, 2022 at 11:48am CST by Zachary Links

Deebo Samuel wants out. On Wednesday, the wide receiver said that he has asked the 49ers for a trade (Twitter link via Jeff Darlington of ESPN.com).

[RELATED: Jets Eyeing D. Samuel?]

Samuel declined to go into specifics, but this may have something to do with his contract. Samuel has reportedly asked the Niners for something in the range of $25MM/year, which would make him one of the highest-paid WRs in the league.

Samuel made his request known last week, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). “Money is not at the root,” of his issues with the team, per RapSheet (on Twitter) — Samuel is also upset about how he has been used in the Niners’ offense.

The speculation around Samuel has been building for weeks, especially after he removed all mentions of the 49ers across social media. Meanwhile, the Niners’ multiple offers to Samuel have not yielded much progress. Samuel’s reported ask for ~$25MM/year deal would vault him ahead of other recent WR deals including those for D.J. Moore, Chris Godwin, and Mike Williams.

The South Carolina product has held up his end of the bargain so far, notching 167 catches for 2,598 yards and ten touchdowns across the last three seasons. He’s also done damage out of the backfield, notching 550 rushing yards and eleven TDs on the ground.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a team that wouldn’t want to add Samuel, particularly after his Pro Bowl / All-Pro campaign. In just 13 games last year, Samuel racked up 869 receiving yards and averaged nearly 14 yards per catch. He also took 59 carries for 365 yards and eight touchdowns, positioning him as one of the most dynamic offensive talents in the game today.

Jets Interested In Jameson Williams?

April 18th, 2022 at 5:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Involved in the Tyreek Hill and Amari Cooper trade talks, the Jets acquired neither. They have since been linked to D.K. Metcalf, having discussed the fourth-year wideout with the Seahawks. Those talks were not believed to have been substantial.

This points the Jets to a receiver in a draft featuring several ready-made contributors but one appearing to lack the top-end talent of last year’s class. It is not certain which of this year’s receiver crop will be the first to go off the board, but the Jets are believed to be interested in Alabama’s Jameson Williams, a source informed ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. While the Jets are continuing to monitor the potential availability of Metcalf and 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel, Cimini notes, they will continue to be connected to using one of their first-round picks on this position.

The Jets-Williams connection comes shortly after a report indicating the Alabama receiver, despite the ACL tear he suffered in the national championship game, is moving toward being a top-10 pick. With linemen and defensive backs atop draft boards, it is possible the Jets would have their pick of the top wideout in this draft. The Jets hold the Nos. 4 and 10 picks in this year’s draft, and even taking their persistent receiver interest into account, it would surprise if the team used that No. 4 choice on one.

Williams’ tear is not likely to cost him much in this draft, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. noting a rise into the top 10 is not out of the question. The Jets have Corey Davis, the recently re-signed Braxton Berrios and second-rounders Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims. While Mims has not come especially close to justifying his draft slot, helping lead the team to this wideout-needy place, the Jets have some options at the position. They also have two picks atop the second round (Nos. 35 and 38, the latter coming via the Sam Darnold trade), should Joe Douglas and Co. opt to address other needs in Round 1. The Jets have not drafted a wideout in the first round since Santana Moss in 2001.

Prior to his knee injury, Williams broke through after transferring from Ohio State to Alabama. The 179-pound pass catcher posted a 79-catch, 1,572-yard, 15-touchdown season to help Bryce Young to the Heisman Trophy. Should he regain that form post-surgery, Williams would provide a tremendous speed injection to whichever offense he joins. ESPN gives he, ex-Buckeyes teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, and USC’s Drake London top-20 grades among this draft’s receiver class. The Jets have met with Wilson, Olave and London, Cimini adds.

Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin Won’t Participate In Offseason Programs

April 18th, 2022 at 9:06am CST by Adam La Rose

Three of the top wide receivers currently on their rookie contracts are taking steps to apply pressure to their respective teams regarding new deals. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and Terry McLaurin are among the players not expected to take part in the on-field portion of their clubs’ offseason programs (Twitter link).

Those three were taken in the second and, in McLaurin’s case, third round of the 2019 Draft. As a result, Samuel and Brown are scheduled to make just under $4MM in 2022, while McLaurin is due $2.79MM. Those figures rank each player far lower down the list of wideout salaries than they will be when they sign a second contract, especially given the upward trend seen in the WR market this offseason.

Extensions signed by Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and Stefon Diggs are chief among the new deals comfortably averaging more than $20MM per season. As a result of other lucrative contracts handed out over the past month, the number of wideouts set to make or eclipse that mark is now nine. Between that fact, and the expected surge in the salary cap ceiling in the near future, a number of young receivers will be requesting sizeable new pacts as early as possible.

Samuel has long been named as a top financial priority for the 49ers. In 2021 especially, he demonstrated his unique ability in both the passing and running games, posting 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns. That led to a report last week claiming he will be seeking around $25MM per season.

Brown, meanwhile, had his worst statistical season in 2021. In 13 games, he still totalled 869 receiving yards and averaged nearly 14 yards per catch. He has two 1,000-yard seasons and a Pro Bowl to his name, and extension talks have begun between him and the Titans. As for McLaurin, his production despite inconsistent QB play has been impressive; he has recorded 222 receptions for 3,090 yards and 16 scores, making his extension a priority for Washington.

As Schefter notes, McLaurin will still attend the Commanders’ program, which starts today. Still, the fact that he and the others will not be on the field signals their desire to get extended before the final year of their rookie deals begins in the fall.

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