The San Francisco 49ers might be on the verge of trading All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel during the second day of the NFL Draft, a move anticipated by veteran Bay Area columnist Mike Silver.
Recently, Silver shared his thoughts on social media, suggesting the likelihood of a trade.
Silver speculated, “Play this out: 49ers don’t trade Deebo. They pay Aiyuk. Deebo then has a lame-duck season in which he watches his successor, and the incumbent receiver they chose over him, be focal points of the offense. Seems awkward. I expect a trade.”
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Earlier on Friday, Silver noted that the 49ers are aiming for at least a second-round pick in return for Samuel.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that based on discussions with multiple front-office and coaching sources, Samuel appears to be the likely candidate to be traded. The deal might materialize before the start of Friday’s second round, particularly if a trading partner emerges when they are on the clock. The 49ers are reportedly seeking second- and third-round picks for Samuel, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2021.
When asked about the possibility of trading one of his star receivers, 49ers general manager John Lynch responded diplomatically, “Never close the door on a trade. I mean, we’ll always listen, and we have. But we like our group as it stands.”
Since his debut in the league in 2019, Samuel has accumulated 283 receptions for 4,122 yards and 19 touchdowns, in addition to amassing over 1,000 rushing yards.
Currently, Samuel is being linked with a potential move to the New England Patriots, though it’s possible other teams may join the bidding in the next few hours.
