You never truly comprehend a player's worth until the terms of a trade are finalized. The recent trade involving Deebo Samuel, the talented wide receiver from the San Francisco 49ers, to the Washington Commanders has stirred much discussion among fans and analysts alike. Initially, the trade, which saw the 49ers receive only a fifth-round pick in return, led many to believe that San Francisco had been fleeced. However, as details emerged, notably that Washington would assume Deebo’s $17.55 million salary, the rationale behind the trade began to clear up for both teams.
During the NFL Combine, 49ers general manager John Lynch emphasized the team's need to get younger, which essentially translates to a need to get cheaper. This trade aligns perfectly with their strategy. The 49ers had already invested a first-round pick in a wide receiver for the 2024 NFL Draft, indicating a shift towards building a more cost-effective roster. Considering Deebo’s recent performance and salary demands, trading him at this juncture appears prudent.
Several critical factors contributed to Deebo Samuel's trade to Washington. His salary, age, and a history of not completing an entire season in his career raised red flags. Furthermore, there’s speculation that Deebo’s best days may be behind him. According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, who is evaluating every trade in the NFL this offseason, he assigned the 49ers' trade a grade of B+. This rating reflects Samuel’s unique skill set, particularly his yards-after-catch (YAC) ability, which has been exceptional throughout his career. Over the past four seasons, he has achieved a league-leading YAC score of 87, far surpassing other receivers, with Ja'Marr Chase being the next closest at 66.
Despite his impressive YAC statistics, Samuel's overall production has seen a decline. After his breakout season in 2021, where he recorded 1,405 receiving yards and a remarkable 3.1 yards per route run, his performance has dropped significantly. In the most recent season, he managed only 670 receiving yards with a disappointing 1.8 yards per route run. Given that Deebo is now 29, questions loom about whether he can return to his peak performance levels.
From the Commanders' perspective, if they enter the upcoming season with Samuel as their No. 2 wide receiver, it could present a significant weakness in their roster. The success of this trade for Washington hinges on how they utilize Samuel moving forward. On the other hand, the 49ers have invested significantly in receivers like Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall, and they potentially could allocate more resources to Jauan Jennings. Trading Samuel allowed San Francisco to gain a valuable fifth-round pick, especially since they had previously forfeited their 5th-round pick in 2025, enhancing their draft capital.
The trade also has salary cap implications that warrant discussion. While offloading Deebo Samuel's contract may lead to some short-term dead money, the long-term benefits could outweigh the immediate costs. The debate over whether the 49ers delayed too long in making this move is valid, but they remain just a year removed from a Super Bowl appearance. With Aiyuk, Pearsall, and Jennings on the roster, the 49ers’ wide receiver group remains competitive. If they can replace Samuel’s production at a lower cost, a B+ grade for the trade will likely prove to be justified in the long run.
