The Patriots might be a year late on this one.
New England is apparently “sniffing” around on 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel according to Boston sports radio station “98.5 The Sports Hub” just one offseason after he signed a three-year, $71.5 million deal with the 49ers.
Samuel’s offseason in 2022 was tumultuous, and included rumors that he requested a trade and had no interest in returning to San Francisco due to issues with how he was being used. It turned out neither of those rumors were true. Samuel ultimately re-signed with the 49ers, and had another excellent season in Red and Gold.
Still, the Patriots remain a team mostly devoid of weapons and are reportedly looking at trading assets for someone like Samuel. Via The Sports Hub:
Mike Felger: We told you before, Stewart’s phone just perked up with someone the Patriots are already sniffing around.
Tony Massarotti: This is big.
Felger: And we’re not making this up. Go ahead Stw, what do you got?
J-Stew: Deebo Samuel. I heard the Patriots, I got a text message from an NFL talent evaluator that the Patriots are sniffing around Deebo Samuel.
Jim Murray: Well this is someone they should be sniffing around, you know, as part of “Bedard’s master five point plan” that he talked about yesterday. Like they need a weapon, right? So, I think if you’re like me, you have some questions as to whether or not the Patriots can find a wide receiver in the draft given their recent drafting of that position. Deebo Samuel is one of the most versatile weapons in the league. Like this is a true weapon, as a running back and wide receiver. The guy can do it all. And look what he’s done to elevate that offense with an “ehhh” kind of quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo. You have got an “ehhh” quarterback here in my opinion with Mac Jones. You get (Samuel) here that absolutely elevates your offense.
In order to get Samuel — in a hypothetical scenario where the 49ers are willing to trade him — the Patriots would likely have to give up significant draft capital, including multiple high draft picks. The Titans traded A.J. Brown last offseason to the Eagles for a first and a third rounder. Keep in mind, the 49ers don’t have a first or second rounder in this year’s draft due to trades for Trey Lance and Christian McCaffrey.
The argument for moving Samuel would be that Brandon Aiyuk has established himself as a top tier receiver, and the team is chock full of weapons. The counter to that is that Samuel remains one of the most dynamic and unique players in the league, and on his day is one of the best players in the entire NFL.