For the second time in his career, Deebo Samuel has requested a trade. This time, the 49ers have granted him permission to seek a trade partner.
To Trade or Not to Trade, That is the Question.
The elephant in the room is his contract. If he is traded, his contract accounts for just over 31 million against the 49ers overall cap in dead cap space. The 49ers can avoid this by designating him as a post June 1st trade. However, they would need to accomplish the trade before his option bonus is due on 22 March 2025. If the 49ers are able to move him and designate him a post June 1 transaction, then his dead cap number in 2025 is 10 million and will be 20 million in 2026.
I anticipate the asking price in a trade will be high if the 49ers have to eat 31 million against their cap. Additionally, it is anticipated that the 49ers will want draft compensation for this year’s draft to help offset the need to back fill thru free agency. I don’t think John Lynch will take anything less than a first round pick and he may ask for more. Potential trade packages could be a 1st and a conditional 3rd, or a 2nd, and 4th. The bottom line is, the Niners will want value.
Whether Deebo stays or goes, this situation is good for the 49ers. If he stays, they have four players they can trust at the wide receiver position. If he goes, it opens more opportunities for Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall.
Deebo’s Value to the Team.
Unquestionably, Deebo Samuel is one of the emotional leaders of the team. His passion overflows during pregame, in the wins and in the losses. He does everything full speed and is one of the most physical players in the NFL at the wide receiver position. Unfortunately, he also has his undeniable drawbacks.
Defenses have started to figure out how Kyle Shanahan likes to use Deebo. NFL defenses realize that Deebo presents a lot of eye candy with declining substance. Coach Shanahan always schemes up a free release for him which forces defenses to adjust. Yet defenses have become wise to this and scheme an off man defender in coverage. Deebo is not a particularly gifted route runner, but his intelligence and physicality make up for that deficiency. Still, he is not as an effective of rusher of the ball as he used to be, and it appears he does not want to be used that way anymore.
Deebo’s trade market might not be as robust as he hopes. In fifteen games he only secured 51 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns. He struggles to separate in man coverage and he has been an inconsistent at the catch. In a year when Brandon Aiyuk was out, this was Deebo’s time to shine, and he failed to rise to the occasion. Given his lack of production who is interested in signing him?
What is particularly troubling is Deebo’s approach to certain types of adversity. If he doesn’t like the scheme, or feels that he isn’t getting the ball, he takes to social media and complains. Then, when the coaching staff and Brock Purdy make a concerted effort to get him the ball, he quite literally drops the ball. While Deebo’s antics don’t rise to the level of Terrell Owens prime, his conduct and the fact this his second trade request in the face of professional adversity gives rise to the moniker diva.
Deebo’s request comes at an interesting time. On the one hand George Kittle says he wants to be a Niner for life. On the other hand, Deebo the diva is requesting a trade. Unfortunately, I think he overvalues himself to the team.
Defenses are not going to play him any different and he will struggle to get the ball else where as he draws a lot of attention from defenders. In a team sport, Deebo wants to be the star, not the decoy. The best way to be the star is to hone your craft instead of seeking an out.
I love his passion and physicality. However, he has shown himself to prickly as a team player. Instead of motivating the Jake Moody when he struggled, he head butted him and almost came to blows on the sideline. In contrast, George Kittle is the consummate motivator and knows how to reach his teammates when he needs to.
He can stay or he can go, but I assure you the 49ers will move on either way.
