Following the success of last year's hit Netflix docuseries "Quarterback," the streaming giant has released its latest installment, "Receiver." This new series focuses on the athletes who haul in passes, featuring stars like Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions.
Additionally, two San Francisco 49ers standouts are included: wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle. Despite Kittle being the only non-wideout, his inclusion in the show is fitting.
"I know you think the show is about just receivers and all, but being a tight end, I gotta do everything," Kittle shared in the first episode. "I do catch passes. I do score touchdowns. I gotta block people. When you watch my tape, I want you to say, 'Wow, this guy gives it his all on every single play.'"
For 49ers fans, the presence of Samuel and Kittle on the show is a treat. Head coach Kyle Shanahan also appears in the first episode, providing insight into what makes these two star players so unique.
Discussing Kittle, Shanahan said, "You can see his personality on the field, which isn't always the case with football players. But when you watch what he's doing on the field, he's also trying to get after people. He wants to be as physical as anybody, and that's, I think, kind of what makes him unique."
"Receiver" follows its featured players through the 2023 season. Kittle finished the campaign with 65 receptions for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns, while Samuel tallied 60 receptions for 892 yards and seven touchdowns.
When it came time to discuss Samuel, Shanahan emphasized the wideout's versatility and unique physical attributes.
"When he has the ball in his hands, he's pretty much different than everybody else," Shanahan said of Samuel. "The speed he can hit, like a receiver, the cuts he can make, like a running back. But kind of the density in his body, that's a lot closer to a linebacker, a fullback. So any time you can get the ball in Deebo's hands, it's a problem for the defense."
Quarterback Brock Purdy added, "He's not easy to tackle. He's got a strong lower half, and his legs are always moving. And as long as we can get the ball in Deebo's hands, we always got a shot."
"Receiver" is now available on Netflix, with all eight episodes ready to stream for subscribers.