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Fantasy Life Articles fantasy football takes on Deebo Samuel
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Fantasy Life Articles about Deebo Samuel.
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All Fantasy Life Articles insights about Deebo Samuel
NegativeDepth ChartJul 31, 2026
Now the WR2 on 49ers depth chart with 70% route share and 4% rush share. Brought back on a one-year deal after six seasons previously with San Francisco.PositiveProjectionJul 31, 2026
Deebo Samuel's return to the 49ers is bearish for Ricky Pearsall's 2026 outlook. Samuel's ADP should skyrocket; Dwain McFarland has him at WR53 (+17) and he still offers a unique blend of receiving and rushing upside despite being past his prime.NegativeRoleJul 31, 2026
Samuel will likely compete with rookie De'Zhaun Stribling for WR2 duties in Pearsall's absence, while Shanahan will deploy Samuel out of the backfield from time to time. Samuel could take a few high-value touches and targets from the backfield from Christian McCaffrey, though this shouldn't downgrade him in fantasy football rankings. The 49ers have been talking incredibly highly of Stribling and given the shockingly high draft capital, it would make sense for them to give him the first crack at filling in for Pearsall.NegativeProjectionJul 31, 2026
Samuel is not the same player he once was; his yards after the catch per reception have fallen each of the last two seasons, including a career-low mark of 6.5 yards last season in Washington. Last season with the Commanders, he caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns, but his production deteriorated significantly after the first two weeks when Jayden Daniels' injuries derailed the offense. On 181 routes with Daniels on the field, Samuel was targeted on 25% of them, averaging 0.46 fantasy points per route, though he did average a respectable 12.1 fantasy points per contest in games where Daniels played most of the snaps.PositiveValueJul 31, 2026
Samuel returns to San Francisco on a one-year deal after months unsigned, entering an injured wide receiver room with Ricky Pearsall sidelined by PCL issues, Christian Kirk dealing with a calf injury, and George Kittle recovering from Achilles surgery. The source projects him as WR2 on the 49ers depth chart with 70% route share and 4% rush share, noting he will see schemed touches in an offense he spent his first six NFL seasons in under Kyle Shanahan. Samuel is now set to see one of the largest spikes in fantasy football ADP in all drafts and becomes a very viable late-round selection, particularly in best ball formats, with a path to more consistent usage due to his familiarity with the system and ability to generate touches from the backfield.NegativeRoleJul 25, 2026
Samuel remains unsigned as of the article's publication, reducing potential target competition for Terry McLaurin in the Commanders' passing attack.NegativeRoleJul 21, 2026
Deebo Samuel's landing spot and role are among the biggest training camp mysteries heading into the 2026 season.