Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
49ers’ Emmanuel Sanders explains why defenses fear Deebo Samuel
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Emmanuel Sanders is the seasoned San Francisco 49ers veteran on the roster.
Deebo Samuel is the rising rookie star looking to prove himself. You would think Sanders has seen everything in his 10 NFL seasons, but that hasn't stopped Samuel from impressing the veteran.
Samuel racked up 57 catches for 802 receiving yards with three touchdowns. But he's not just dangerous as a target through the air. The rookie also has 14 carries for 159 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Samuel, like many of his more-experienced 49ers teammates, has proved himself to be a versatile weapon in an offense that thrives on versatility.
Samuel has emerged as a dangerous offensive weapon since Sanders' arrival. Sanders, however, seems to believe that it's just a coincidence and that the rookie is just starting to show what he's capable of.
Sanders
joined 95.7 The Game and shared his thoughts on what makes Samuel so impressive and why the young wideout is so difficult to defend.
"Deebo is just a baller, and I think in the second half, more opportunities started coming his way," Sanders told Damon Bruce, Ray Ratto, and Matt Kolsky. "He started making the most of them. He started making a lot of plays. He's one of those guys, when I first got out here, I really didn't know too much about him. But now, the whole league [has been warned] of how deadly and how much of a threat he is."
Samuel owns the fifth-highest overall Pro Football Focus grade among rookie receivers. His 484 yards after the catch are the best among first-year wideouts, and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has a 120.2 passer rating when targeting Samuel.
"I know guys have got to scheme for him," Sanders continued. "I know guys get scared the moment he touches the ball because they know it's an opportunity to go to the house. I'm thankful he's my teammate, and I'm not on the other side, because I know when he touches the ball, he can go the distance at any moment. Especially because this guy is just a rookie, this is his first in the league, but you wouldn't be able to tell. Even how he comes to practice every day, how he comes to work every day.
"I think it's a lot of credit to Wes Welker, our receivers coach, getting those guys right, and letting them understand this is not college anymore. This is the National Football League. It's a grown man's business, and it really sped up the maturation process of both Kendrick (Bourne) and Deebo."
The addition of Sanders and the emergence of Samuel helped the 49ers earn the division title and the best record in the NFC. It could also be critical in the team's quest for a Super Bowl championship.
San Francisco's playoff run begins on Saturday when the team hosts the Minnesota Vikings and Levi's Stadium.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Sanders below.
[omny
https://957thegame.radio.com/media/audio-channel/drk-emmanuel-sanders-1820]
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy are why the 49ers can afford to pay Brandon Aiyuk
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
Mike Silver on how Deebo Samuel's contract might be the starting point for a Brandon Aiyuk extension
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, it's common for the rumor mill to start churning, especially with players who are actively seeking a new contract. It was just two short years ago that WR Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers prior to draft day, only for cooler heads to prevail and eventually agree to a new deal.
Now, it's WR Brandon Aiyuk's turn to try and get paid and rumors surfaced over the weekend that he too would request to be dealt. While that report was quickly shot down by his agent, there's still a lot of discussion about Aiyuk's future and if other teams will come calling on draft night.
Legendary columnist Mike Silver joined
Why one analyst is worried for Brock Purdy if 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy achieved a remarkable feat in 2023, setting a single-season franchise record with 4,280 passing yards. This accomplishment is noteworthy, considering the illustrious quarterbacks who have graced the organization's history.
A significant portion of those yards came from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who amassed a career-high and team-leading 1,342 receiving yards. Most of his 75 catches originated from passes thrown by Purdy.
Amidst significant offseason chatter surrounding the 49ers' star receiver, including several unsubstantiated trade rumors, Aiyuk's future remains uncertain. Former NFL player James Jones, now an analyst, expressed concern for Purdy should Aiyuk's tenure in the Bay Area come to an end.
"I
Why ESPN analyst hopes 49ers address O-line in the draft
ESPN analyst Matt Miller watches the San Francisco 49ers differently than other teams. As a 49ers fan, he feels more invested in the team's successes and failures than most analysts.
With the draft nearing, Miller made it clear which direction he believes head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch should take with their first pick. In his ESPN mock draft, a seven-round doozy, the analyst had the 49ers selecting former Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
Miller recently joined the 49ers Webzone "No Huddle" podcast, sharing why he adamantly hopes the team addresses the offensive line at the end of the month.
"So I
