During the excitement of Super Bowl LIX, news broke that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has requested a trade. This isn’t the first time he’s sought to leave, but with his declining role in the offense, the feeling may be mutual.
The Las Vegas Raiders currently have Jakobi Meyers as their only reliable wide receiver, with little depth behind him. Given Samuel’s contract situation, the 49ers aren’t likely to receive a significant return in a trade.
The Raiders could take advantage of this and acquire the former All-Pro at a reduced price. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report proposed a deal in which Las Vegas would send a conditional 2025 third-round pick to San Francisco in exchange for Him.
“Las Vegas has the cap space needed to immediately sign Him to an extension, and it could then use the rest of its financial flexibility to other areas, like its offensive line and backfield,” Knox wrote in a Feb. 9 column.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that when Pete Carroll was the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, the team was reportedly interested in drafting Samuel in 2019, according to Adam Schefter.
Earlier this season, the Raiders traded Davante Adams to the New York Jets for a third-round pick. If this deal goes through, it would essentially mean swapping Adams for Samuel.
Deebo Samuel Has Not Been a Productive WR
The 49ers could struggle to find a trade partner for Deebo Samuel. Although he was once an All-Pro, his production as a wide receiver has declined in recent years. Since his breakout 2021 season with 1,405 receiving yards, he hasn’t surpassed 892 yards in any of the last three seasons.
His effectiveness as a dual-threat player in the backfield has also waned. At this stage, Samuel profiles as an average No. 2 or a high-end No. 3 receiver, making a third-round pick potentially too steep a price for him.
One appealing factor is his expiring contract. If the Raiders were to acquire him, they might benefit from letting him play out the season before committing long-term. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s creative playcalling could make Samuel’s versatility an intriguing asset.
Raiders Could Be Aggressive Addressing WR
As Knox noted, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has shown interest in Samuel before, having coached against him during his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks. Even if Las Vegas decides not to pursue Samuel, they are expected to be aggressive in addressing their wide receiver needs.
While Jakobi Meyers and standout tight end Brock Bowers provide a solid foundation, adding a top-tier wide receiver could significantly enhance the passing attack. With no clear path to acquiring a star quarterback this offseason, the Raiders may focus on building the strongest possible supporting cast to maximize the potential of an average signal-caller. Fortunately, with ample salary cap space, they have the flexibility to bring in high-end skill players if they choose to do so.
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