Samuel's move to Washington cements him as a No. 2 target-getter for the Commanders and a worthwhile mid-round pick in Fantasy. Samuel averaged at least 6.2 targets per game in his four years prior to 2024 when his average slid to 5.4. He'll have a chance to rebound from that in 2025 as he should upgrade the Commanders' screen game -- Daniels threw 94 screen passes last season -- as well as provide options both as a short-area passing target and a weapon in the red zone. He does have potential to average around 13 PPR points per game, making him a popular choice once you get to Round 7.
Samuel and most other starters won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Samuel made one appearance this preseason, taking a carry for 19 yards. By all accounts, he's been a favorite target of Jayden Daniels this summer, displaying strong chemistry with the young QB throughout training camp. Samuel's volume projection for Week 1 against the Giants is nonetheless partially dependent on the availability of fellow wideout Terry McLaurin, who missed all of camp due to some combination of an ankle injury and contract negotiations.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Gains 19 yards on first drive
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Samuel took one carry for 19 yards in Monday's preseason game against the Bengals.
Samuel got the ball on the first snap of Washington's four-play, 74-yard TD drive -- after which Samuel, Jayden Daniels and some other starters didn't play. With Terry McLaurin (contract) still unavailable, Samuel has been Daniels' top target throughout training camp, portending a featured role in Washington's Week 1 game plan against the Giants.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Suiting up Monday
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Samuel will suit up for the Commanders in Monday's preseason game against the Bengals, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.
He'll see his first action in a Washington uniform following his trade from San Francisco back on March 1. With wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown not playing Monday, Samuel will act as Jayden Daniels' top target for as long as the quarterback is on the field. Samuel has developed a nice rapport with Daniels during training camp, and this will mark their first opportunity to show it off in an actual game setting.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Back at practice
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Samuel (hand) returned to practice Monday, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.
He hurt his hand/finger Saturday while diving for a catch at practice. The quick return to training camp confirms it's nothing serious, giving Samuel plenty of chances to continue building chemistry with QB Jayden Daniels while No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin remains away from the team. McLaurin has requested a trade, but the Commanders reportedly aren't considering it and prefer to continue extension negotiations instead.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Moving all around the formation
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Samuel's alignments on offense have been varied during training camp, and he's also been getting work on kickoff returns, ESPN.com's John Keim reports.
With Terry McLaurin (ankle / contract) still not practicing, Samuel seems to be the top weapon for QB Jayden Daniels. Washington beat reporters have repeatedly mentioned Samuel being on the receiving end of Daniels' passes, although Keim notes that the Commanders' cornerbacks have more than held their own, often preventing the wideout from creating separation. That's an area where Samuel struggled with the 49ers last year, but he's reportedly rejuvenated with his new team ahead of his age-29 season. Even if separation remains a weak point, the Commanders should be able to figure out a role that works more to Samuel's strengths and emphasizes his tenacity with the ball in his hands.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Washington and Houston intrigued
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The Commanders and Texans are among the top teams that have expressed interest in acquiring Samuel, whose trade request San Francisco general manager John Lynch said the team plans to honor, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Schultz reports the Steelers and Broncos are among other teams that have inquired about trading for Samuel, but he notes Washington and Houston have been the strongest suitors to this point. The Commanders seem committed to adding another playmaker for Jayden Daniels, who earned 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors despite Terry McLaurin being his only pass catcher to even approach the 1,000-yard mark. Houston, meanwhile, faces a similar conundrum, needing to surround C.J. Stroud with new offensive talent, as Stefon Diggs (knee - ACL) seems likely to move on, and Tank Dell (knee - ACL + MCL) is in danger of potentially missing a significant amount of the 2025 campaign. Samuel admittedly struggled to impress in 2024, finishing with a mere 51 catches (81 targets) for 670 yards and three touchdowns across 15 appearances, plus 42 carries for 136 yards and one score on a career-low 3.2 YPC. However, he boasts a uniquely versatile skill set and could yet rebound in greener pastures.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Expected to be traded
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San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Wednesday that the team plans to honor Samuel's request for a trade, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports. "He's asked for a fresh start, and I think we're going to honor that," Lynch said. "He is a great player; I think often one of my favorite draft picks of my time. He makes plays and he makes game-changing plays. Everything is good...But it probably makes sense [to trade him]. We're having conversations so we'll see where that goes."
Samuel is entering the final year of his contract and carries a $15.9 million cap number. He looked sluggish at times in 2024, finishing the season with just 51 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns. His 9.1 rushing yards per game were also Samuel's fewest since an injury-shortened 2020 season. Given his pricey contract along with the fact that he turned 29 years old in January and is coming off an underwhelming season, Samuel is unlikely to fetch much more than a mid-round draft pick in any trade.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Gets permission to seek trade
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The 49ers have granted Samuel (ribs) and his agent permission to find a trade partner, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Samuel requested a trade during his exit meeting with the team following the conclusion of the regular season, and San Francisco appears willing to comply with the request. After recording a career-best 77 catches for 1,405 yards with 365 rushing yards over 16 regular-season games in 2021, Samuel has struggled to replicate that production, with his best campaign in the three years since being 2023, when he posted a modest 892 yards on 60 receptions along with 225 rushing yards in 15 regular-season contests. The versatile wideout's ability to work as a ball carrier out of the backfield and to return kicks no doubt adds to his appeal, but Samuel also has dealt with various injuries in recent campaigns, and he's played in 43 of a possible 51 regular-season contests since 2021. Samuel appears to be ready to move on from the 49ers, saying, "It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have. ... But I have to do what's best. I'm more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it's best that we find another team."
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Ruled out for Week 18
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Samuel (ribs/wrist) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Samuel might've tried to play through his rib and wrist injuries if the 49ers were in playoff contention. As is, he didn't practice this week and won't play in Sunday's game, which could free up more playing time for Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing and Chris Conley behind de facto No. 1 receiver Jauan Jennings. There's no doubt Samuel will be mentioned in trade rumors yet again this offseason, as he has just one year remaining on his contract and is coming off a disappointing campaign for a team that also has Pearsall, Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) at wide receiver. There's been no indication that the rib or wrist injuries will impact Samuel's preparation for 2025.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: DNP on Thursday
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Samuel (ribs/wrist) won't take part in Thursday's practice, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Samuel has yet to mix into drills this week due to two health concerns and thus may need to practice in some capacity Friday to avoid a designation ahead of Sunday's game at Arizona. With Brock Purdy (elbow) unlikely to play this weekend, Samuel will be on the receiving end of passes from Joshua Dobbs, assuming the wide receiver is active.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: WRs to Sit
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Samuel is dealing with rib and knee injuries ahead of Sunday's game at Arizona, so keep an eye on his status. He was bad in Week 17 against Detroit despite scoring a touchdown, but he finished with just 9.1 PPR points on one catch for 5 yards and 16 rushing yards. The Cardinals held Samuel to one catch for 11 yards on three targets in Week 5, and this game should feature George Kittle, Jauan Jennings and potentially Ricky Pearsall more than Samuel, especially if he's injured. He's barely a starter in three-receiver leagues in Week 18.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Scores short TD on MNF
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Samuel brought in his only target for a five-yard touchdown while adding 16 rushing yards on three attempts in Monday's 40-34 loss to the Lions.
Samuel saw his usage drop back down to levels seen during his horrid second-half slump, but a short touchdown grab helped salvage what would have been a rough fantasy outing. The underperforming superstar carries a 51-670-3 receiving line into the final week of the regular season to go along with 134 rushing yards and a fourth score in 15 starts this year. Samuel will have one more chance to up his offseason free agency bid in Sunday's road tilt against the Cardinals.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Wakes up in Week 16
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Samuel caught seven of nine targets for 96 yards and a touchdown while adding 25 rushing yards on five attempts in Sunday's 29-17 loss to Miami.
Samuel finally broke out of the worst slump of his professional career by recording his best fantasy score to date in 2024. The dual-threat receiver also finished with his most rushing yards in a game this year with San Francisco being forced to start a running back (Patrick Taylor) who began the year on the practice squad. It is worth noting that Samuel needed to have his right wrist examined briefly by the medical staff in the second half of Sunday's loss, but he promptly returned to action and finished the contest without issue. With a strong performance under his belt, fantasy managers who may have benched Samuel during his horrid slump can feel better about reinserting the fantasy star into lineups against Detroit next Monday.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: WRs to Sit
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You know the deal with Samuel by now. He comes into Week 16 having scored 6.1 PPR points or less in five games in a row, and he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 6. The 49ers tried to get him going in Week 15 against the Rams with seven targets, and he finished with three catches for 16 yards and two carries for 3 yards. There's little reason to trust Samuel against the Dolphins, and Miami is No. 4 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: WRs to Sit
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I'm hopeful Samuel will take on a bigger role in the backfield with Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) out, but he only has 27 carries for 79 yards on the season with one touchdown, which came in Week 1. He's also caught one touchdown all year, which was in Week 6, and he's combined for nine catches for 63 yards on 16 targets in his past three games. The Bears are also No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, so it's tough to trust Samuel even in three-receiver leagues in Week 14.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: WRs to Sit
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We don't know if Brock Purdy (shoulder) is going to play in Week 13 at Buffalo, and the weather for this game could be problematic for San Francisco with snow in the forecast. Samuel has also struggled of late with a combined 9.2 PPR points in his past two games against Seattle and Green Bay, and this feels like a bad setup for him against the Bills, who are No. 8 in fewest Fantasy points allowed against opposing receivers. I would only start Samuel in three-receiver leagues in Week 13.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Contrarian DFS Play
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Samuel's price and roster rate are falling. While I strongly suggest his teammate in cash games, he's exactly the type of player I want to play in a high-scoring game at a low roster rate. I have no doubt he still has the weekly upside to give you 100 total yards and two touchdowns.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Suiting up in Week 10
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Samuel (rib/oblique) is active for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Samuel sustained oblique and rib strains in the 49ers' last game Sunday, Oct. 27 against the Cowboys, and following a Week 9 bye, he was able to string together three consecutive limited practices, receiving a questionable tag for Week 10 in the process. Overnight Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Samuel was expected to play Sunday, which has come to pass. Samuel will be welcoming back premier running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) for the first time this season, a scenario that may open up the entire offense for San Francisco. In seven appearances without McCaffrey this season, Samuel has averaged 6.7 touches for 67.4 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring two total TDs.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: In line to suit up Sunday
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Samuel (oblique/rib), who is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers due to an oblique injury, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Samuel suffered oblique and rib and strains Oct. 27 against Dallas prior to San Francisco's Week 9 bye and logged a trio of limited practices this week. Despite the injuries, the wideout looks like he'll be able to suit up against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Samuel has notched multiple carries out of the backfield in all but one of his seven contests this season, but he could be asked to do less in that regard given his injuries along with the expected return of star running back Christian McCaffrey, who is on track to make his season debut after missing the team's first eight contests due to Achilles tendinitis.
Samuel (oblique/rib) is questionable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Coming out of a Week 9 bye, Samuel was a limited practice participant the past few days but partook without a non-contact jersey Friday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports. Samuel seems more likely than not to play, but fantasy managers would still be wise to stay tuned and make sure Samuel's name isn't on the inactive list ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. Fellow 49ers wideout Chris Conley (ankle) has been ruled out, while Jauan Jennings (hip) is set to return.
