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There has been a ton of uncertainty regarding the San Francisco 49ers and
Deebo Samuel after the receiver reportedly requested a trade, with mass media providing a number of unverified reasons as to why the trade requested occurred.
If Samuel does indeed reach the trade market, he'll assuredly be a hot commodity, as many NFL teams are looking for their own version of Samuel, the do-it-all wideout, and could have the opportunity to obtain the known commodity.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah held a pre-draft conference call, where he was asked about the most Deebo-esque receiver in the draft, where he gave an interesting response about the receiver most compare to Samuel in this upcoming draft.
"I feel like every year everybody tries to find the next Deebo and it doesn't exist. He's a unicorn. So it's been hard to pull that off," Jeremiah said. "So if you're asking me in the first round, I don't think there is anybody up there. I really like Treylon Burks. He's a stud. He reminds me more of AJ Brown probably more than Deebo. Maybe like Deebo from the standpoint you can put him in the backfield and pitch him the ball and do some of those things, but kind of a different urgency to him. I think Deebo had a little more explosiveness initially, suddenness we say, and I'd say there's a little more buildup there with Treylon Burks. But I think the versatility to play in a couple different spots exists."
Instead, Jeremiah believes another lesser-hyped receiver could be the most similar to Samuel in this draft: Tennessee's Velus Jones, who ran a 4.31 40-yard dash at the combine.
"To me the most Deebo-like player, and it would definitely be Deebo-like, he's not the same talent, but Velus Jones from Tennessee is kind of that guy that's really, really sturdy and strong and explosive, like real, real, real fast, somebody on jet sweeps, you see it in the kick return game with him, as well. Just get him the ball and let him go. He would be kind of that guy. Where he goes in the draft, he's a little bit older, but he ran 4.31. I think he probably goes in that third-round range, but he's kind of the most Deebo-like player in this draft."
Jeremiah's comparison is certainly intriguing, given that Jones is smaller than Samuel at 6'0, 205-pounds, and that the 49ers actually brought Jones in for a pre-draft visit recently, after they reportedly knew about Samuel's trade request.
Jones broke out in 2021, catching 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns, while also returning 24 kickoffs for 628 yards and a touchdown, as well as 18 punts for 272 yards.
Jones, who transferred from USC to Tennessee following two seasons with a lack of playing time, was primarily a return specialist prior to utilizing his blazing speed as a receiver this past season, making him somewhat of an unknown quantity in the draft, given the unsustained production.
However, if the 49ers do indeed move Deebo Samuel by the draft, Jeremiah's suggestion could become a reality as Jones's draft range is a late Day 2/early Day 3 pick.
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
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
NFL Network host Rhett Lewis released his first mock draft of the year on NFL.com. What does he project the San Francisco 49ers doing with the No. 31 overall pick? Lewis has the team acquiring some edge-rushing help, bolstering a group that already includes Nick Bosa and newly signed Leonard Floyd.
The host has the 49ers selecting former Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson.
According to Sports Reference, Robinson registered 41 tackles, including 17.5 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, three passes defensed, and three forced fumbles in two
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
