The Jacksonville Jaguars need to bolster the wide receiver corps this offseason. Sure, they have the ascending Brian Thomas Jr. in the fold but they could get him some help. Fortunately, the Jags will have a wide array of options in free agency and the NFL draft. But if they don't like any of their options, they could also reach out to the San Francisco 49ers and inquire about Deebo Samuel. Then again, they may want to think twice before they give them a call following a damning report.
Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard recently reported that Samuel was 20 pounds overweight in 2024, which explains his decreased production.
"What I’ve heard from people who have talked to the 49ers over the last few weeks is consistent: Deebo was 20 pounds overweight at times last season, which at least partially led to his dramatic drop in production and sure doesn’t indicate that he’s still in his prime at 29. Meanwhile, Deebo clearly was frustrated during the season, saying on social media that he wasn’t getting enough chances to make plays. That frustration has not lessened."
For context, Samuel logged 60 receptions for 892 yards with seven touchdowns in 2023 but only 51 catches for 670 yards with three touchdowns last year. This is a reason for concern when you take into account that he's been mostly healthy the past two seasons, having missed a combined four games in that span.
Later in his column, Kawakami speculates that Niners are feeling buyer's remorse after giving Samuel a three-year deal worth $71.5 million in 2023, noting that the San Francisco front office might've regretted not trading the former Pro Bowl nod.
Kawakami's reports sheds light on the 49ers' reason for granting Samuel his request to seek a trade. Sure, they didn't get him involved on offense last year, but he didn't help himself by not being in the best possible shape.
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Why the Jaguars should steer clear from Deebo Samuel
If the San Francisco 49ers trade Deebo Samuel after June 1, they can split the cap charge in two. But if do it before, he would leave $31 million in dead money. Based on how things played out, it looks like the 49ers are willing to take on the cap hit and move on. If that's the case, the Jacksonville Jaguars need to ask themselves, why should we be in a rush to acquire a player another team is desperately trying to get rid of?
The positives are clear, Samuel hauled in 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns during his 2021 All-Pro campaign. However, he hasn't crossed the 1,000-yard since then, and the Jaguars would need to take on the $14.5 million option bonus he's due on March 22. They can most definitely afford it, especially after the salary cap bump. That said, there's also a downside.
While Samuel's bonus isn't necessarily cost-prohibitive, he's entering a contract year and may want to get a new deal before he agrees to a trade. This wouldn't make sense for the Jaguars from a financial standpoint, even if they manage to acquire him at a reasonable rate.
Basically, Jacksonville would be getting a one-year rental, and Samuel's recent production doesn't warrant the $14.5 million he's set to make. Sure, he could benefit from a fresh start, but there's an equal chance he'll fail to bounce back in Jacksonville.
Deebo Samuel certainly can play, but the latest news are definitely a red flag. If Jacksonville Jaguars were previously considering the idea of trading him, they should now be hesitant.