Deebo Samuel was once the apple of many Detroit Lions fans’ eyes in the 2019 NFL draft. Could the Lions now land the versatile 49ers standout three years later?
It’s possible. Samuel has requested a trade from the 49ers. While the demand is rooted in a desire to get a rich new contract, there are some fundamental issues in how the 49ers use Samuel too. Dan Campbell’s Lions have the ability to use Samuel more exclusively as a wide receiver and also fork over tens of millions to land a long-term, No. 1 wide receiver on the roster.
It would take a considerable offer to land Samuel. At minimum, the No. 32 overall pick in next week’s draft and at least one other top-100 pick, either (likely) this year or next. Then there’s the matter of paying Samuel in the rapidly increasing wide receiver market.
Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams became the two highest-paid wideouts in the league this offseason with new contracts. Amari Cooper topped $20 million per year, too. Christian Kirk, Brandin Cooks and Allen Robinson all earning huge pay bumps have elevated the market for guys like Samuel–who is coming off a better 2021 than any of them.
Samuel caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. His 18.2 yards per catch was the highest of any receiver in the league, earning him a first-team All-Pro nod. The 26-year-old did lead the NFL in drops (12), but he more than made up for it with eight rushing TDs.
It’s the rushing part of the equation that has Samuel bristling at the 49ers. The Lions already have a similar type of player in Amon-Ra St. Brown who enthusiastically does those same things (though not as dynamically), which would afford Samuel to be more of a receiving weapon. Samuel’s ability to win at all levels of the defense make that very appealing. Both St. Brown and Samuel are versatile enough to work well together while having some overlapping skills.
The Lions played San Francisco last season, and before the game Campbell talked up Samuel,
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