When wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. joined the San Francisco 49ers, the team hoped that he would be able to contribute in a big way.
Samuel was a solid option for quarterback Brock Purdy. However, some issues cropped up between him and the 49ers, leading the team to trade Samuel to the Washington Commanders in March 2025.
Deebo Samuel Sr.’s Time With 49ers Was Contentious
On March 1, 2025, Samuel was sent to the Commanders in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round draft choice. With that draft pick, the 49ers selected Oregon running back Jordan James.
James appeared in three games this season but didn’t record a carry or reception. Samuel was a second-round draft pick for the 49ers out of South Carolina in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Samuel had 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdown receptions for the Commanders this season, averaging 10.1 yards per catch. According to the PFSN NFL WR Impact Metric, which ran through the regular season, Samuel finished with an impact score of 77.2 and graded out to a C+.
Samuel was targeted 99 times this past season, which shows he was actively involved in the Commanders’ offensive plans.
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Yet there were concerns when Samuel was with the 49ers, and some of those might have followed him to the Commanders. Among them were concerns about his weight, as some reports indicated that Samuel was 10 pounds overweight.
Also, his production showed a steep decline. In looking at his 2024 NFL season numbers, Samuel had 51 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns. Other health issues seemed to dog Samuel, too, including a bout with pneumonia and a rib.
Samuel, in fact, asked for a trade from the 49ers, and the team was able to work out a deal with Washington. He tried to be a positive player while catching passes from Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels before Daniels was lost for the season due to injury.
As the trade panned out, the Commanders got a veteran NFL wide receiver who might have seen better days. His numbers in the 2025 NFL season were better than his 2024 statistics. The 49ers will have to wait and see what James can produce next season, though.
Samuel now has a full offseason to recover from any health concerns that may have been lingering this season, as he is set to hit the free agency. The Commanders are undergoing an overhaul for the coaching staff, and the franchise will be open to making tough decisions.
