The wheels have begun to slow down on NFL free agency. After a wave of moves in the first week, transactions have become smaller and fewer as teams count down the days until the NFL Draft.
Despite some slower movement, there are still plenty of valuable assets available on the open market, specifically at wide receiver. Tyreek Hill, Jauan Jennings and Stefon Diggs are looking for new homes, and the trade market for Brandon Aiyuk and A.J. Brown continues to be a point of interest.
Lost in the shuffle is Deebo Samuel, whose production has slowed in recent seasons thanks to an evolving role on offense and plenty of injuries. However, the 30-year-old receiver still has something left in the tank.
After spending one season with the Washington Commanders, Samuel is a free agent. While the Commanders’ offense was the NFL’s worst last season, dealing with injuries at quarterback and receiver, Samuel managed to become a reliable target for whoever was under center on a given Sunday.
Samuel finished the season with 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns with the Commanders. That’s still a far cry from his best season, which came in 2021 with the San Francisco 49ers. He compiled 1,770 yards and 14 touchdowns from scrimmage as both a receiver and a ballcarrier.
Entering his age-30 season, it’s unlikely that Samuel’s days as a gadget running back will continue much longer, meaning he will be split out wide more often. Two teams could use a guy like that, and one of them already knows him.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested the 49ers and the Carolina Panthers would be wise to add Samuel to their respective receiving rooms. Samuel spent the first six years of his career in San Francisco and appears to be on good terms with the players and staff there, despite requesting a trade that landed him in Washington.
The 49ers have already added Mike Evans and Christian Kirk to the team, so would another rugged veteran be too much? The 49ers also brought back linebacker Dre Greenlaw, meaning they aren’t afraid of the idea of a reunion.
The more intriguing option for Samuel might be the Panthers. Quarterback Bryce Young took a step forward last season and nearly won a playoff game. Giving him another weapon in the slot might help him sustain that success. The Panthers also have concerns around wideout Xavier Leggette’s lack of consistency so far in his career, and Carolina will likely address wide receiver at some point this offseason, either in free agency or in the draft.