Photo courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers
49ers’ Deebo Samuel makes PFF’s ranking of top 32 receivers
May 20, 2021 at 6:49 AM
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made Pro Football Focus' ranking of the
NFL's top 32 wide receivers — barely. The San Francisco 49ers wideout comes in at No. 31.
Samuel is entering his third NFL season. The Niners made him a second-round draft pick out of South Carolina in 2019. Samuel racked up 57 receptions for 802 yards and three touchdowns while adding 159 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground during his impressive rookie campaign.
Injuries forced the 25-year-old receiver's production to go down last season. Samuel was slow to return after suffering a Jones fracture during the offseason and then fought through a hamstring injury during the season.
"Injuries got in the way of a big sophomore breakout from Samuel, but when healthy, he was exactly what we expected: an after-the-catch phenom," wrote Anthony Treash. "Samuel has produced 9.8 yards after the catch per reception in his two NFL seasons. Not only does that lead all wide receivers, but it leads the group by a substantial margin of 2.5 yards.
"He has also broken 28 total tackles in regular-season play over that span, tying for the fifth-most at the position. He played only six games in 2020, so that's pretty damn impressive."
Not being out on the football field with his teammates was devastating for Samuel. Hopefully, he will fare better in 2021.
"I never got down mentally like I did after I pulled my hamstring in the last game I had,"
Samuel said in January. "It took a toll on my body, and it made me realize health is the most important thing and being available."
Samuel blamed the hamstring issues on overcompensating for the offseason foot injury. The receiver missed three games in November due to the hamstring. Then he missed the final three games of the season after reaggravating the issue.
"Just compensating on one side caused other things to happen, which is how I pulled my hamstring twice this year," Samuel said. "It was a rough year for me."
Samuel finished his 2020 campaign with 33 catches for 391 yards and one touchdown.
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