NFL Analysis
2/9/25
6 min read
4 Trade Destinations for San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
The Deebo Samuel era in San Francisco will likely come to an end.
Samuel has had a sensational first six years of his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, even earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2021. However, after a disappointing 2024 season, the 49ers are expected to explore a potential trade for the 29-year-old receiver, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The move makes sense for both sides. The 49ers need to clear cap space significantly, with an upcoming extension on the horizon for QB Brock Purdy. Meanwhile, Samuel is approaching 30 years old and seeing a diminished role in the Bay Area, as Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall look like the future at the receiver position.
One of the biggest looming roadblocks for a potential Deebo trade is his contract, which includes a $33 million cap hit in 2026. The 49ers would have to take on a $31.5 million dead cap hit by trading him before June 1, but a post-June 1 designation would drop that dead cap to $10 million and allow the 49ers to spread that hit over future seasons.
That contract, along with Samuel's down year, could hurt Samuel's overall trade value. Still, for teams with some financial flexibility in need of a versatile chess piece on their offense, Samuel can bring some legitimate value during the next couple of seasons. Let's take a look at a few logical landing spots for the veteran wideout.
Deebo Samuel 2025 landing spots
Denver Broncos 
Broncos receive: WR Deebo Samuel
49ers receive: 85th overall pick
Bo Nix looks like the long-term quarterback for Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos. Now that he's the solidified starter, the team can focus on surrounding him with key weapons.
Courtland Sutton brings a stable presence on the outside, while Marvin Mims Jr. looks like an emerging vertical threat. However, the Broncos currently lack a versatile slot that can handle underneath routes and be difficult to bring down after the catch.
That's exactly what Samuel can bring to the Broncos. According to Pro Football Focus, Samuel averaged 7.78 yards per carry on catches 10 yards or fewer downfield or behind the line of scrimmage.
With Nix on a rookie deal, the Broncos have tons of cap space in the coming years, allowing them to take on Samuel's contract even without restructuring it. Denver is already a playoff-caliber team, but adding a weapon like Samuel could make it a bit more dangerous in the AFC West.
New England Patriots
Patriots receive: WR Deebo Samuel
49ers receive: 77th overall pick (via ATL)
There probably isn't another receiver-hungry team with the resources to take a swing on Samuel like the New England Patriots.
Mike Vrabel and his staff will be desperate to find some playmakers for Drake Maye, who shined as a rookie despite a depleted offensive line and struggling young weapons. In fact, according to NFELO, Maye finished 22nd out of 63 quarterbacks in success rate despite the team's lack of offensive talent.
Maye's rookie contract, combined with few players on the roster besides Christian Gonzalez seeking top-of-market money, puts the Patriots in great financial shape to wipe the slate clean and rebuild the roster. The Patriots have the second-most cap space in the league with $92.5 million this offseason.
Demario Douglas showed promise in the slot during his first two seasons, but he could benefit from having a veteran who's held down the slot before, even if it means a reduced role in the short term.
It's a great fit for a team in need of playmakers and would allow them to potentially focus elsewhere in the draft instead of reaching for a wideout early.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers receive: WR Deebo Samuel
49ers receive: 83rd overall pick
The Pittsburgh Steelers already have their outside vertical threat in George Pickens. However, when he's unable to get going, the rest of the passing offense looks stagnant.
That's not speculation, either. No other receiver came close to Pickens' efficiency in the passing game. According to PFF, Pickens led the Steelers with a strong 2.11 yards per route run, but the next-closest wide receiver was Calvin Austin III at just 1.41 YPRR.
Samuel had what might have been the worst year of his career in 2024, but even then, he was still averaging 1.60 YPRR. He's averaged at least 2.0 in four of his six NFL seasons, including a career-high 2.26 YPRR in 2023 during the 49ers' Super Bowl run.
The Steelers may be unsure of their plans for the quarterback position next season, but having two weapons like Pickens and Samuel could make it easier to lure a free-agent quarterback to Pittsburgh.
New York Giants
Giants receive: WR Deebo Samuel, 112th overall pick
49ers receive: 65th overall pick
The New York Giants could try to get out of their funk and turn the franchise around by taking a big swing at quarterback and adding an established veteran at receiver.
Malik Nabers looks like a future superstar, catching 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games as a rookie. That's in spite of inconsistent quarterback play from the likes of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito.
However, outside of Nabers, the Giants don't have another impact playmaker at receiver or tight end. Darius Slayton will be a free agent, while Wan'Dale Robinson had just 1.21 YPRR despite significant volume in the slot in 2024.
The Giants could try to take Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, but even if they do so, they can't have a rookie quarterback trying to force-feed one target, even one as talented as Nabers. Adding a safety blanket underneath in a veteran like Samuel is the perfect way to settle down a rookie quarterback early in their career, especially with a coaching staff led by Brian Daboll.
Nabers and Samuel bring a great one-two punch to any offense, especially one that will likely be getting a new quarterback this offseason.
