Deebo Samuel is seeking a trade per Adam Schefter.
The 49ers have granted Deebo Samuel and his agent Tory Dandy permission to find a trade partner for the wide receiver, Samuel told ESPN. This comes after Samuel asked San Francisco to trade him during the players’ exit meetings after the season.
“It was a hard conversation to… pic.twitter.com/uuEsxgFHIJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 9, 2025
After the news of the Rams looking to trade Cooper Kupp last week, now another veteran receiver from the NFC West is on the market. But will the Denver Broncos inquire about his services?
Deebo Samuel seeking a trade, do the Broncos fit?
When he’s healthy, Samuel is a playmaker.
He can make plays on the outside, over the middle, and even from the backfield as a running back. That’s the good news.
The bad news is it looks like Samuel peaked in 2021 and has failed to come close to that production.
In 2021, the versatile wideout had career-highs in receptions (77), yards (1,405), total touchdowns (14), and rushing yards (365). Last year with the 49ers Samuel was way off those marks. He only totaled 670 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air, and his 136 rushing yards were the least for any season in which he started at least 11 games.
At 29 years old, he likely still has some gas in the tank. But does he fit Denver’s system?
Sean Payton famously said recently the Broncos are searching for a “joker.” And he clarified to Kay Adams that means a running back or tight end who’s a great receiver.
#Broncos HC Sean Payton on must-adds this offseason:
“We need a joker.”
Payton said that could be a tight end or a running back who’s an elite receiver, and stated that he’s “all about” a Reggie Bush-type player
[🎥: @UpAndAdamsShow] pic.twitter.com/nUMpww8FCi— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) February 5, 2025
That seems to point to players like Ashton Jeanty or Tyler Warren or possibly Colston Loveland. But some see a “joker” in Samuel.
RGIII thinks the veteran is great for the Broncos
Robert Griffin III, the former NFL quarterback and current NFL talking head, thinks Deebo to Denver would be great for each party.
The Denver Broncos should trade for Deebo Samuel. Sean Payton said he needs a “Joker” who can be an elite receiver who can play RB/TE, create mismatches and own the middle. That’s Deebo. Sean Payton will understand how to use his versatility and get him back to his YAC Attack. pic.twitter.com/KWZ1ajrO4l
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 9, 2025
One hangup there Robert, Samuel is a receiver.
Sure, he can play some running back, and an inside receiver like a tight end, but it doesn’t seem like that’s what Payton wants.
Plus, Denver has a speed player who can make people miss in the open in Marvin Mims. Payton ran the ball with him off and on this year, used him on bubble screens, and sent Mims streaking down the seam for a 93-yard touchdown.
Samuel is a $15 million cap hit this year, but he would cost the 49ers $16M in dead cap if they trade him pre-June 1. So, the team that trades for him may have to give up cash in return, plus picks and/or players.
Ultimately, Samuel could fit and could do some damage in Payton’s offense. But, it’s not the biggest area of need.
Denver needs a playmaking running back, one who can catch passes. Think Mark Ingram or, in a best-case scenario, Alvin Kamara.
The Broncos have also been incredibly needy at tight end for many years. A Jimmy Graham type, or even Jared Cook–who had a nice run with Payton–would be great for the Broncos and Bo Nix in the middle of the field.
After making the playoffs for the first time in nine years, Denver’s on the rise. They’ll be looking to make moves, but Kupp and Samuel don’t seem to be the ones they’re looking at.
Happy Super Bowl Sunday, NFL fans!
