Deebo Samuel Requests a Trade! Landing Spots, Potential Packages, & Reaction

 Just when we thought this NFL off-season couldn't get any crazier, it just did. 49ers young superstar receiver/running back Deebo Samuel has shockingly requested a trade from the team. This comes in the off-season following his very first All-Pro season in which he totaled over 1700 all-purpose yards on offense along with 14 TDs. Apparently Samuel has been frustrated with how the team used him as less of a pure receiver and more of a hybrid and has not been willing to engage in contract negotiations with the team. Wow. This is just crazy news. Samuel is just 26 years old and clearly entering the prime of his young career. It's unknown right now if the Niners would actually honor his request (he's arguably their best player) but if they do, they are going to have an array of trade packages to choose from. Today I'm going to list some realistic landing spots for him along with a potential trade package that could be offered from the said spot.

New York Jets

Potential Offer: Jets offer pick #10 in 2022 NFL draft, 2023 third-round pick for Samuel

When I heard the news of the trade request, the Jets were the first team that came to mind. We've heard all off-season how desperately the Jets have been trying to acquire a stud WR, they came just short of Tyreek Hill and they've reportedly been in on pretty much everyone. Now with Samuel officially requesting out of San Francisco, this is really their chance to strike. With just days remaining until the 2022 NFL draft, picks are at their all-time high value. The Jets have the luxury of owning two top 10 picks in this year's draft (thanks to the Jamal Adams trade). In this package, they'd give up their later of the two picks (pick #10) plus a third rounder next year in exchange for the All-NFL weapon. With Samuel in the fold, Zach Wilson would have his surefire top target along with Elijah Moore and Corey Davis as slot WR and WR2. That is an elite receiving core and gives Wilson an amazing chance to succeed.

I would love this move for BOTH sides. The Jets are highly rumored to be in the market for drafting a wideout with one of those two picks, so if they got Samuel for pick 10, it would be like drafting a surefire All-Pro at that spot. Sure, they'd have to pony up a big contract to him as well, but it would be well worth it for a guy who they know can make Zach Wilson's life easier.

For the Niners, as much as trading Samuel is probably going to hurt, this may be the best offer you can get for him. The team does not own a first rounder this year and could instantly vault their way into the top 10 where they can draft Samuel's immediate successor at receiver. Treylon Burks could be a very similar player to Samuel who could come in to SF. They would also get that receiver for 4-5 years before having to commit the money they were preparing for Samuel. It gives them an even bigger win-now window with Trey Lance's rookie deal and now a top rookie receiver's as well. I think they drive a hard bargain and also get a next year third rounder which is awesome value as well. This would be a great move for both sides.

Houston Texans

Potential Offer: Texans offer pick #13 in 2022 NFL draft, 2023 second-round pick for Samuel

Right after the news broke, a team whose interest seemed to emerge quite instantly was the Houston Texans. This would make a lot of sense. The Texans obviously just made the mega-deal with Cleveland to bring in perennial Pro Bowl QB Deshaun Watson to be their QB of the future. With that deal, the Texans acquired seemingly unlimited draft capital over the next 3 years to build up their roster around rising Sophomore QB Davis Mills. While the team already has Brandin Cooks on the roster as a great target, that's pretty much it. With two first rounders for each of the next three drafts, the team can afford to be very aggressive in the pursuit of a rare All-Pro receiving talent who is just entering his prime. With Samuel and Cooks as WRs 1 and 2, Mills will suddenly have a great core to throw to and still have the luxury of his team having pick #3 overall in this draft and two firsts for each of the next two seasons after.

This is another great trade for both sides. Houston would get themselves this playmaker for Mills while still owning millions of picks to continue building up talent over the next couple of seasons.

The Niners are getting peak value for Samuel here with a top 15 pick and then another premier pick next season. Most of the top receiving talents should still easily be there at 13 and then they would be set up with two second rounders next year to navigate the board and potentially trade back into the first with ease. They would be getting even better value with this package than the Jets' offer.

Detroit Lions

Potential Offer: Lions offer picks #32, #34 in 2022 NFL draft for Samuel

Another bottom feeder who I expect to be very in the mix for Deebo Samuel. The Lions are in the midst of a rebuild, but bringing in a talent like Deebo Samuel would be a massive add for this team to kickstart that rebuild. Picking at #2, the team would still get to retain that pick but then they would give up their pick at the back end of the first round along with their very very early second rounder at 34. While it is two early picks to give up, the Lions can certainly afford to do so. They are trying to acquire talent however they can do it and free agency isn't usually the place that Detroit is able to lure guys in. If they make this offer though, they can easily afford to pay Samuel what he deserves following the trade and they have the allure of playing for coach Dan Campbell who players rave about. 

For Detroit I would LOVE this move. You still have the pick at 2 to get a potential superstar and then you move basically two early second round picks to bring in an All-Pro 26 year old weapon. While it will probably be Jared Goff at QB this year, the team still has two firsts next year to bring in their potential future franchise QB who will be absolutely set up for success with young offensive talent around him (RB D'Andre Swift, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Samuel). I feel like this would be not too much to give up for a guy as good as Deebo Samuel. 

For the Niners, this would be an acceptable offer, but it's not as good for them as the other two previous offers. You get the last pick in the first round and the second pick of the second round. You won't be guaranteed any blue chip players with either of those picks, but they do give you a good chance of moving up by packaging those two selections or just hitting on those picks with great talent still there. If this was my only offer as John Lynch of the Niners, I'd probably take it.

New England Patriots

Potential Offer: Patriots offer picks #21, #54 in 2022 NFL draft for Samuel

Now here's a contender in the mix for Samuel. The New England Patriots shocked a lot of people by not acquiring a high-end pass catcher either via FA or trade. Mac Jones is a second year QB who has a lot of potential to be a future superstar but he is going to need some weapons around him to ascend even higher. It all might work out for New England though as suddenly Deebo Samuel could be on the move. New England would move it's mid first rounder from this year's draft along with it's mid second to acquire the star player. Bill Belichick knows how to get the most out of anyone so incorporating him team's unique offense would be great. 

This is a great deal for the Pats and a decent return for the Niners. The Pats depth chart is mostly set and ready to go for next season but they could use a few heralded rookies. However, acquiring Samuel would be much more important and beneficial to them and so I think that would trump getting some good rooks. 

For the Niners, this is a decent return, a similar one to what you saw Davante Adams go for. Adams is better than Samuel, granted, but Samuel is much younger and just entering his prime so SF may want more. Similarly to the Lions offer, the Niners would be foolish to not entertain this offer if it was the best one on the table. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Potential Offer: Eagles offer pick #15, #81 in 2022 NFL draft + WR Jalen Reagor for Samuel

This is the most interesting potential landing spot/package for Samuel yet. Imagine Samuel added to the motion offense of Nick Sirianni that already features dynamic rushing QB Jalen Hurts and stud rising Sophomore WR DeVonta Smith. The Eagles are trying their best to surround Hurts with the top potential supporting cast of their abilities to see if he can really be their QB of the future. This is sort of the make or break year for him in Philadelphia. Adding Deebo Samuel who is such a playmaker to the offense that has Smith already and also vertical threat TE Dallas Goedert would be huge. The Eagles easily believe they can return to the post-season after securing the #7 seed last season.

This is a deal I like a lot for both sides. For Philly, sure you are giving up some good assets, but it's well worth it, especially when you factor in the amount of assets this team will STILL have after swinging this trade. Even losing their first and third in this draft, they still own another first (at 18) and two more firsts next year. Jalen Reagor was their top selection a couple years back, but Philly doesn't feel like a good spot for him anymore and if Samuel were coming to town, it would make a lot of sense to send him the other direction.

For the Niners, this is a very interesting offer. You get a top 15 pick, another third, AND a talented young receiver who needs to be developed. This may be the best offer yet based off of the great draft compensation + Reagor who could flourish in a really good offensive system like Kyle Shannahan's. Getting Reagor + drafting a wideout with one of those new picks would reset this offense and allow the team to get cheaper and younger while eliminating a locker room issue. This would be a tough phone call to turn down for Lynch and company.

Indianapolis Colts

Potential Offer: Colts offer pick #42 in 2022 NFL draft + 2023 first round pick for Samuel

The Colts feel like a dark-horse in these early sweepstakes. Since they don't own a first-rounder in this year's draft, everyone has been seemingly counting them out of being in the loop for potential blockbuster trades. Newsflash everyone, the Colts still have a high second rounder AND their first next year. They are in win-now mode and with that mindset they believe their 2023 first won't be very high either. Michael Pittman is a great WR option, but just him alone is not enough for an offense to be top tier. If Matt Ryan wants to have a big year with Indy, he's going to need more. Frank Reich would be over the moon to bring in a playmaker like Samuel to complement his offense. Imagine Jonathan Taylor and Samuel playing in the same innovative offense...wooh! Two first-team All-Pros from this past season along with a former MVP QB at the helm and Frank Reich calling the shots. Dangerous is the first word that comes to mind.

I love this offer for the Colts. Those are two high draft picks, but if they were able to get Samuel, it ensures that this is going to be a very good football team in 2022-23, meaning that first won't be very high. If the Colts think about it that way, they are giving up "two early second-rounders" for an All-Pro talent who is just 26 years old and subsequently filling their largest roster hole!

I don't love this offer for the Niners. The Colts would be even better with Samuel and so you aren't getting any ELITE draft picks back. Sure, a late first and an early second is good, but it is not guaranteed blue chip options like the top 15 picks give you the chance at. Again, if this was the best offer on the table, I'd take it if I was the Niners, but compared to the other offers, this isn't too impressive.

Green Bay Packers

Potential Offer: Packers offer picks #22 and #53 in 2022 NFL draft + 2023 third-rounder for Samuel

While the Packers would make a lot of sense for Samuel, it would be a colossal shock to see him traded there. As good as this fit would be, would the Niners really trade their arguable best player to a big conference rival? Shannahan would not want to help his friend Matt LaFleur out that much in my eyes. Still, the thought of Samuel in that innovative offense is dreamy. Aaron Rodgers would be so good with Samuel getting the ball from him in a variety of different ways just like Davante Adams when he was there. One could make a case that Samuel wouldn't be happy in Green Bay because they would use him as a hybrid like SF did (which HE reportedly doesn't like due to wear and tear on his body), but I think he'd welcome a trade anyway to such a contender with Rodgers under center. 

The Packers would be giving up a lot here. I have them offering their better first round pick, their better second, and also a third from next year. I feel like the Packers would have to make a slightly bigger offer than other teams due to them being conference rivals with SF. Still, they have the capital to make this trade and still have a lot of picks left (thanks to the Adams trade). Would they be able to pay Samuel? Probably. They offered Adams a huge deal before he went out the door to Las Vegas which shows they'd probably be able to pay the 26-year old stud.

This would be a tough call for the Niners. It's a really nice trade package they'd be getting back for their star, but would they be able to stomach sending him over to Rodgers, LaFleur, and the Packers? I'm not sure. Depending on the other offers they received, I think that is how this call would be made. If it was their only serious offer, I could see it happening. In the NBA, 2e just saw the Nets trade star James Harden to their rival 76ers for a good package. Why can't it happen in the NFL as well? Time would tell on this potential deal. 

New Orleans Saints

Potential Offer: Saints offer picks #16 and #49 in 2022 NFL draft + WR/KR Deonte Harris for Samuel

The Saints made headlines when they traded their first rounder next year for a second first-rounder this year with Philly. It was a strange move to say the least when there is no telling what talent is going to be there in the late teens and to take a big swing there anyway. It makes me think they have something more up their sleeve with even more first round ammunition this year. Could it be to bring in a superstar playmaker to add to former OPOY Michael Thomas and perennial Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara? I don't see why not. While this is a new look Saints team, they are still in win-now mode. Jameis Winston was great before injury last season and seeing him in an offense with two superstar pass catchers + Alvin Kamara would be something.

This is certainly a lot to give up for the Saints, but it would be well worth it. Picks 16 and 49 is a lot but they are able to fall back on the fact that they still have pick #19 in this draft to address other needs and then still their second next year too. WR feels like their biggest draft target right now so moving some picks to get one of the best ones in the NFL (forget the draft) is well worth it. I think the Niners can drive a hard bargain with them being an NFC team so they are forced to throw in versatile piece Deonte Harris which hurts but is also worth the price of Deebo Samuel.

I like this move for the Niners. I'm sure they want to move him to the AFC if at all possible, but this might be the best offer of any of the NFC teams yet. The 16th pick in the draft (they can replace Samuel instantly with one of the top WR prospects), the 49th (another top end rookie) AND elite special teamer/versatile offensive piece Deonte Harris! This is a great return for the Niners who would strongly consider this offer if on the table from the Saints.

Dallas Cowboys

Potential Offer: Cowboys offer picks #24 and #56 in 2022 NFL draft + 2023 second rounder for Samuel

Similar to Green Bay, while the fit would be immaculate, is a trade to Dallas actually plausible for Samuel? Deebo has apparently been liking pictures of himself in Cowboys jersey swaps on Twitter and his infamous brother who said he didn't want to stay in SF a few days back added to that by saying Deebo was heading to Dallas. Despite all of this, would the Niners trade their star to another big conference rival? If they were to do so, the Cowboys offense would be terrifying. Dak Prescott is still a top tier QB and they also have one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL with Zeke and Tony Pollard at RB. Samuel would fit in beautifully next to CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup in the receiving core to create one of the most high-octane offenses we've ever seen.

While it's a lot to give up, it would be well worth it for Dallas. They'd still have their first next year but would be without their top two picks this year and then another second next year. I still think that would be well worth it to add an All-Pro 26 year old wideout who could push this team over the top next season. Kellen Moore is an offensive genius and would utilize a Lamb/Gallup/Deebo wideout core better than pretty much anyone.

This is deja-vu with the Green Bay deal. While this is one of the best offers the team will get, having a good first this year plus two seconds, would they really move Samuel to a conference rival? Again, it depends on what else was on the table. If this truly was by far and away their best offer, I could see it happening. Until that happens, I'm gonna say it's very unlikely. 

FINAL VERDICT

While I think the Niners will continue to do everything they can to keep Deebo Samuel in the fold, it feels pretty unlikely that he will be back. He's not willing to negotiate a new contract, he's been receiving death threats from fans, his brother is saying how badly he wants out. It just doesn't feel like a fixable situation. I can't see him coming back and playing for them again after all that has been said and done and him actually verbally requesting the trade.

While these offers are all hypothetical, this is for fun, and so out of these mock offers, the deal I predict the Niners accepting out of all 9 (with every factor taken into account) would be the New Orleans Saints' offer. I think it would come down to the Saints, Jets, and maybe either Eagles or Texans, but the Saints present the best overall offer. Sure, there is allure to moving him all the way to the AFC to maybe the Jets or Texans, but the Saints simply gave them the best offer and one they couldn't turn down. Two high draft picks in the draft occurring in just 8 days PLUS skilled piece Deonte Harris is too good to turn down. The Saints are an NFC rival, but not one they face every year. Both teams would be stoked with this deal as the Saints just got way better by adding a much needed threat to their offense while the Niners get these high picks to replace Samuel and then get some (plus getting younger and cheaper). 
*Side note: if the Niners were able to get Arkansas WR Treylon Burks with that 16th pick...that would be a match-made in heaven...

We will see how this all plays out, but this was just a fun little thing we did with it all up in the air. Draft season is upon us and the NFL is showing us that literally anything goes.