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Acquired by the Commanders as a key piece to build around Jayden Daniels, Samuel has already impressed teammates in camp despite online chatter that he's playing slower entering his seventh season. The source notes that how Samuel's role develops in training camp—more WR or RB?—will be the more interesting development, with both he and Laremy Tunsil having eyes on them in Ashburn, Virginia.

Deebo Samuel is the only wide receiver in NFL history with 20+ receiving touchdowns and 20+ rushing touchdowns, a unique dual-threat profile that reflects his value in Kyle Shanahan's system.

Davis Mattek moved Deebo Samuel up to 130 in his rankings on flockfantasy.com and has him ranked 13th overall with an ADP of 125, while current market ADP is 150, indicating Deebo is undervalued. Mattek signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the 49ers; Mattek thinks Deebo is still a pretty good pick even at elevated price and prefers him to Keenan Allen in the 10th round. At 23% of his old price, Deebo feels very good. Mattek's quantitative model projects Deebo for 80 targets, 55 receptions, 735 yards, and four touchdowns, but he would take the under on those numbers. Mattek selected Deebo in his draft at pick 132, indicating he views Deebo as appropriately valued at that ADP. With 218 teams (12.9% exposure) at $1,656 salary, he represents good value; the Niners signing him, especially with Pierce Hall's injury, created an ideal landing spot for his fantasy value.

Deebo Samuel has signed back with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million after spending the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders, where he scored five receiving touchdowns. Samuel returns to the team where he spent his first six NFL seasons as a former second-round pick, filling a need created by Ricky Pearsall's injury.

Deebo Samuel Sr. has returned to the San Francisco 49ers on a reported one-year deal, reuniting with the team after prior separation. This move signals the 49ers' continued reliance on Samuel as a key offensive weapon despite injuries piling up early in camp.

Deebo Samuel signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the 49ers after spending the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders, where he caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns but saw minimal rushing usage with only 17 carries for 75 yards. His return to San Francisco comes as the 49ers address receiving depth following Ricky Pearsall's knee swelling and potential PCL surgery.

Deebo Samuel could solve the 49ers' kick returner question after they entered the season with inexperience at the position. Samuel averaged 30.1 yards per return on 15 tries last season, which ranked fourth in the NFL.

Deebo Samuel has returned to the San Francisco 49ers on a free-agent deal just one year after the team granted his trade request and sent him to the Washington Commanders. The source notes this return makes sense for a receiver-needy 49ers offense, positioning him as a key target in the team's passing game.

Samuel returns to the 49ers on a 1-year, $7 million deal after spending 2025 with the Washington Commanders (72 receptions, 727 yards, 5 touchdowns). The source notes he was historically used as a Swiss Army knife in San Francisco, splitting time as both wide receiver and running back; in 2021 he was All-Pro with 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and 6 touchdowns plus 51 rushing attempts for 365 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. His return addresses depth concerns in the 49ers' running back room, which is dealing with Jordan James' broken rib injury.

Samuel has agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers and is expected to step into a significant role immediately due to mounting injury concerns in the receiver room. He rejoins the 49ers after one season with Washington, where he led the Commanders with 72 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns despite injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin. Samuel's familiarity with Kyle Shanahan's offense allows him to make an impact without spending August learning the playbook, positioning him as a proven playmaker in a receiver room headlined by Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson, and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling.

Deebo Samuel is reportedly returning to the 49ers after one year apart, reuniting with George Kittle and the 2026 roster. Kittle had hinted at the possibility during Super Bowl week in February, saying 'all the boys are coming back again and, who knows, we might add some past friends,' and later expressed enthusiasm about Samuel's return, stating 'I love Deebo' and posting celebratory messages on social media following the official reports.

Samuel reunites with the 49ers on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million after one season with Washington. The move positions him for increased target opportunity in Kyle Shanahan's offense amid uncertainty in San Francisco's receiving room: Ricky Pearsall is dealing with a significant knee issue, Christian Kirk has been out with a calf injury, and Brandon Aiyuk is expected to be released. Samuel led Washington with 72 catches, 727 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns last season and returns to an offense where he previously established himself as one of football's most versatile weapons in the receiving and running games, peaking in 2021 with 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns for first-team All-Pro honors.

In 2025 with the Washington Commanders, Samuel led the team in receptions (72), receiving yards (727), and receiving touchdowns (5) amid injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels and wideout Terry McLaurin, demonstrating continued production as a primary target.

Samuel has a chance to slide back into a starting role for the 49ers in 2026, especially if Pearsall and Kirk continue to miss time. He is very familiar with head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense as a former player, having played the first six years of his career for San Francisco after being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.