Report: Deebo Samuel has 'preliminary interest' from multiple NFL teams

Deebo Samuel is garnering interest from several teams around the league, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of decisions to make regarding some franchise stars on the team, including Samuel, George Kittle and Brock Purdy. But after missing the playoffs this season, Samuel is an ideal candidate to be traded this offseason. Fowler provided the latest on the star playmaker as the NFL Scouting Combine approaches.

“So Deebo Samuel, I’m told, from a source, that there have been several teams that have some preliminary interest,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “Now where that goes is still uncertain. Those teams could try to wait out the 49ers, see if they eventually release him. The key is the option bonus, about $15 million due to him on March 22, so the 49ers do have time. He’s got one year left on his deal, a new team could rework a contract potentially as part of a trade to facilitate things. 

“I’m told it has not gotten that far yet. So, the combine is next week, things should heat up a little bit, and parties can talk in person. Keep in mind, the 49ers have a lot of business to do. They got Brock Purdy … George Kittle as well. So they want to get this done in the next couple weeks, then they can move on to bigger business.”

Deebo Samuel a big trade candidate?

As far as where Samuel could end up, ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum, a former GM, picked out his favorite spot.

“The Los Angeles Chargers,” Tannenbaum said. “If we go back a year ago, they had all these salary cap issues themselves, and they moved on from Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, they hit big on Lad McConkey, Quentin Johnston, their first round pick the year before, was better, but boy, what an ideal fit Deebo Samuel would be with Justin Herbert. 

“You know, for his career, he’s averaged roughly about nine yards after catch, and that’s exactly what Justin Herbert needs. When you run the ball the way the Chargers want to, they need somebody that can be productive with short passes, who’s productive run after the catch and Deebo Samuel would be an ideal fit with them.”

Samuel finished this past season (15 games) with 51 catches, 670 yards, three touchdowns, 13.1 yards per catch, 42 carries, 136 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.