New San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel spoke to Bay Area reporters via a conference call after being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Did you have any expectation that you would be going to the 49ers at all?
"Throughout this process, I feel like we became a lot closer. It's more than football with the conversations that I had with them."
How have the last 24 hours been for you?
"The last 24 hours have been pretty hectic to be honest with you. It's a lot of excitement and just to hear my name called today was kind of like a blessing."
When you were in Mobile, the 49ers had not had wide receivers coach Wes Welker join the team yet. What was it like meeting him when you came out to Santa Clara and what did you guys discuss?
"It was great, knowing what type of player he was and how good he was when he played. Hearing about that was like a blessing because he's been there and done it before. The conversations I had with him was the things I need to work on and where I fit in the offense."
Having been in this offense now for a week in Mobile, how do you fit into the offense?
"I feel like being able to move all over the place is going to help me a lot and also playing special teams."
Did you play the Z-receiver spot in Mobile?
"I think so."
Okay. Did you play all the spots?
"No, sir. I was just the Z that week because we didn't have enough time to put a whole lot in, so we just kind of focused on one position."
What kind of rapport did you develop with head coach Kyle Shanahan starting there in Mobile? What was your impression of him?
"I think he's a great guy. Just talking to him, the first day I got there, without even like really hitting the field yet, and after hitting the field, we had a pretty good bit of conversations after that, just how I could go about my business."
What kind of mentality do you have to have as a receiver to be as good as you are after the catch?
"Me personally, I just feel like you've got to have that dog in you. Having that mindset, not one person is going to bring you down, and you're going to make every catch that's thrown your way."
Was that an attribute that the 49ers expressed that they liked about your game?
"Yes, sir. Yards after catch, that's one of the main things that we talked about."
