PFF names Deebo Samuel as 49ers’ most improved player

The San Francisco 49ers don't reach the NFC Championship Game without the breakout season from Deebo Samuel. The wide receiver—who also lines up at running back—racked up 1,770 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns this past season. Six of those touchdowns were through the air. An impressive eight came while carrying the football.

The receiver saw his overall Pro Football Focus grade increase a whopping 10.4 points compared to 2020. His 90.2 mark ranked third on the team, with only tackle Trent Williams (96.6) and tight end George Kittle (90.5) surpassing him.

Pro Football Focus named Samuel its most improved 49ers player from the 2021 season.

"Samuel played in only six games in 2020 due to injury," wrote Anthony Treash. "He was a quality underneath weapon in his short time on the field, but he wasn't nearly as dangerous as he was in his 2021 breakout campaign."

Samuel's 1,405 receiving yards surpassed his combined total from his first two NFL seasons, and he stayed relatively healthy, appearing in all but one game.

"Samuel was one of four wide receivers to earn an elite PFF grade above 90.0, thanks to his efforts as both a receiver and a runner," Treash continued. "He averaged an NFL-leading 10.8 yards after the catch while shedding 27 tackles. On the ground, Samuel picked up 14 explosive runs of 10-plus yards and broke 28 tackles on 86 carries."

Samuel is preparing to enter his fourth NFL season—making him eligible for a contract extension—so he picked the right time to burst into NFL stardom. The 49ers know they'll have to pay up to keep their most talented offensive player with the team for years to come.

"Yes, there is some interesting dynamics with Deebo playing multiple positions, but the bottom line [is] he's an excellent football player," general manager John Lynch added. "And so, I'm sure that we'll find a way to get that done. And like I said, it's been budgeted for."