Deebo Samuel

Deebo Samuel

28-Year-Old Wide ReceiverWR
San Francisco 49ers
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Samuel re-established himself as one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL in 2023, finding a middle ground between his monstrous breakout in 2021 (1,770 yards from scrimmage, 14 TDS) and a disappointing, injury-riddled 2022 (864 yards, five TDs). Rushing production (225 yards) and 12 total touchdowns allowed him to overcome a modest total of 89 targets, with Samuel being one of four 49ers in the range of 83-to-105 targets. He averaged 6.2 and 2.6 carries in his 14 full games, missing Weeks 7-8 with a shoulder injury and later playing only 20 snaps in a meaningless Week 18 contest. Samuel remained the most difficult wide receiver to tackle in the league, averaging 10.0 yards per target despite an aDOT of only 6.8 yards, thanks to his whopping 8.7 YAC average. Among wide receivers, only Rashee Rice gained a larger percentage of his yards after the catch -- a stat Samuel also ranked Top 5 in the previous two years. The downside, apart from facing considerable target competition from Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey, is that Samuel's brute force means he takes far more hits per touch than a typical WR. He's missed 20.5 percent of regular-season games in his career, and that's a fair rate to expect going forward as he enters his age-28 season. Persistent trade rumors dating back to last year are the other major risk factor, though a move could actually help his fantasy value, depending on the team. The 49ers seem to be preparing for a future without either Samuel or Aiyuk, having spent a first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall and a fourth-rounder on Jacob Cowing. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
$Signed a three-year, $71.55 million contract with the 49ers in July of 2022.
Gains 20 yards on four catches
WRSan Francisco 49ers
December 1, 2024
Samuel pulled in four of his five targets for 20 yards with a lost fumble in Sunday's 35-10 defeat at the hands of the Bills. He did not record a rushing attempt in the blowout loss. Samuel also tallied 208 yards on six kick returns.
ANALYSIS
Samuel essentially put up a bagel in non-PPR formats after coughing up his first fumble of the season while netting just 20 yards for fantasy managers. A snowstorm played a role in the marginal numbers from the West Coast based franchise, but Samuel was already mired in a midseason slump prior to Sunday's dud. Samuel's most impressive work Sunday came in the return game, as he logged kickoff returns of 60 and 43 yards in the third quarter. With Christian McCaffrey (knee) going down to injury fresh off his lengthy IR stint, Samuel should remain a spotlight player on offense for a team missing some key players ahead of next week's home tilt against the Bears.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Deebo Samuel's 2024 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Air Yards Per Game
38.3
 
Air Yards Per Snap
0.99
 
% Team Air Yards
15.9%
 
% Team Targets
17.9%
 
Avg Depth of Target
7.5 Yds
 
Catch Rate
62.3%
 
Drop Rate
8.2%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
8.2
 
% Targeted On Route
22.4%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
1.95
 
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2024
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
San Francisco 49ers49ers 2024 WR Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

46565%
16578%
42259%
19793%
33847%
00%
21730%
13564%
16423%
105%
10515%
147%
324%
52%
20%
00%
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Deebo Samuel lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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This Week's Opposing Pass Defense
How does the Bears pass defense compare to other NFL teams this season?
The bars represents the team's percentile rank (based on QB Rating Against). The longer the bar, the better their pass defense is. The team and position group ratings only include players that are currently on the roster and not on injured reserve. The list of players in the table only includes defenders with at least 3 attempts against them.
CHI
vs Bears
Sunday, Dec 8th at 4:25PM
Overall QB Rating Against
77.9
 
Cornerbacks
70.4
 
Safeties
104.8
 
Linebackers
78.0
 
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2024 Deebo Samuel Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Deebo Samuel's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 0"
 
Weight
215 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.48 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.14 sec
 
Cone Drill
7.03 sec
 
Vertical Jump
39.0 in
 
Broad Jump
122 in
 
Bench Press
15 reps
 
Hand Length
10.00 in
 
Arm Length
31.38 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Deebo Samuel See More
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Yesterday
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Samuel is a unique player, to say the least, arguably in his own league among wide receivers when it comes to breaking and avoiding tackles. He actually has more career touchdowns on the ground (14) than through the air (12), though he's also shown a high ceiling as a pass catcher with his 1,405-yard campaign in 2021. Last year he displayed many of the same skills but to much lesser effect, held back by injuries, San Francisco's QB issues and perhaps some inevitable regression from his absurd 2021 numbers (11.6 YPT, eight rushing TDs on 49 carries, etc.). He's also missed 15 games in four seasons, mostly due to lower-body, soft-tissue injuries, further contributing to a profile that makes him one of the riskiest players at his position. The 49ers still have major questions at QB, and there's a ton of competition for both targets and carries in an offense with WR Brandon Aiyuk, TE George Kittle and RBs Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell. If talent and skills were the only factors, Samuel would be ranked higher.
The Niners fully unleashed Samuel last year, after injuries and a fluctuating role limited his impact his first two seasons. The 2019 second-round pick isn't a burner, but he's plenty fast (4.48 40) to get the job done while combining the size (6-0, 215) and ferocity of a running back with the route-running acumen of a veteran wideout. While it's the rushing work that makes him different, Samuel's biggest impact last year was actually chunk plays in the passing game, including five of 50-plus yards in the first two months. Coach Kyle Shanahan was rewarded for changing Samuel's role, again, with the wideout's aDOT rising from a freakishly low 2.2 in 2020 to a normal-ish 8.4 in 2021. He still got screens and shovel passes, but with more opportunities in the intermediate and deep areas as well. Then, in the second half of the year, Samuel played running back to help the team deal with injuries - a role he handled so well that it continued when Elijah Mitchell returned.
Foot and hamstring injuries cost Samuel the better part of 10 games last year, but on the rare occasion he did play, he looked like the rising star we saw during his rookie season. Samuel averaged 8.9 YPT on 44 targets and also carried the ball eight times for 26 yards, despite playing hurt. A stout 6-0, 215, with 4.48 speed, Samuel is a beast after the catch, breaking tackles and extending for extra yards. He also saw a heavy target share when he was finally healthy with 22 targets (and 17 catches) in Weeks 12-13. Samuel now returns to an unsettled quarterback situation. Oft-injured Jimmy Garoppolo enters training camp as the starter, though the Niners used the No. 3 overall pick (for which they paid dearly) to draft Trey Lance. Samuel will share looks with star tight end George Kittle and second-year man Brandon Aiyuk, but the 49ers’ lack of pass-catching depth could allow those three to combine for well over half the targets. Plus, Samuel had a unique role last year, mostly catching easy throws near the line of scrimmage (league-low 2.3 aDOT) and also taking eight carries. The QB-proof touches provide some protection if Garoppolo and Lance struggle.
Samuel started slowly as a rookie but took off in the season's second half, going 49-35-575-2 with 122 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Over a full season, that prorates to eight touchdowns and 1,394 yards from scrimmage. Samuel was also efficient. Despite eight drops, he managed 14.1 YPC and 9.9 YPT. He also saw a fair amount of red-zone use - 16 of his 81 targets were there, including seven from inside the 10. At 5-11, 214, Samuel has the physique of a running back and the ability to break tackles and get loose for big plays, given his 4.48 40 speed. In fact, coach Kyle Shanahan used Samuel in his running rotation, giving him 14 regular-season carries (three of which went for scores), plus six more totes in the postseason for 102 yards. Samuel should see more receiving work in Year 2 after the 49ers let Emmanuel Sanders walk via free agency, though the team used its first-round pick on the versatile and physical Brandon Aiyuk, who should serve as the deep threat. Jimmy Garoppolo showed he was no Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, but he's competent enough to support a productive No. 1 receiver alongside Aiyuk and superstar tight end George Kittle, and few receivers will match Samuel's bonus production as a rusher. Unfortunately, Samuel suffered a broken foot while he was training in mid-June, requiring surgery and leaving him uncertain for Week 1. The injury, a Jones fracture, is fairly common among wide receivers, and the incidence of aggravation is much higher for players that rush back into action.
The 36th overall pick in this year's draft, Samuel could start opposite Dante Pettis out of the gate in what should be a productive Kyle Shanahan offense with a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo. At 5-11, 214, Samuel is stout, strong and plenty athletic with a 4.48 40 and 39-inch vertical. He's a strong route runner and dangerous in the open field after the catch, but he never reached 900 receiving yards in four seasons at South Carolina, limited by a mixture of injuries and poor quarterback play. Samuel is also on the old side for a rookie after turning 23 in January, so his physical development has likely maxed out already. He'll have to displace deep threat Marquise Goodwin, who's probably better suited to a situational role, among others, but Samuel's odds are good given his physical tools and draft slot.
More Fantasy News
Struggles continue with backup QB
WRSan Francisco 49ers
November 24, 2024
Samuel had just one reception for 21 yards off four targets in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Packers.
ANALYSIS
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Shut down by Seahawks
WRSan Francisco 49ers
November 17, 2024
Samuel had four receptions (on seven targets) for 22 yards while losing one yard on his only rushing attempt in Sunday's 20-17 loss to Seattle.
ANALYSIS
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Takes eight touches for 76 yards
WRSan Francisco 49ers
November 10, 2024
Samuel (hip/oblique) corralled five of six targets for 62 yards and added 14 rushing yards on three attempts in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Buccaneers.
ANALYSIS
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Suiting up in Week 10
WRSan Francisco 49ers
November 10, 2024
Samuel (rib/oblique) is active for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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In line to suit up Sunday
WRSan Francisco 49ers
Oblique
November 9, 2024
Samuel (oblique/rib), who is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers due to an oblique injury, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Expected to get top QB back Sunday
WRSan Francisco 49ers
November 30, 2024
Samuel and the rest of the 49ers' pass catchers should get a boost in production against the Bills on Suinday, as Brock Purdy is expected to return from a one-game absence due to a right shoulder injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Samuel's down season continued in Week 12 against the Packers, when he finished with just one catch on four targets for 21 yards. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen was under center in that game, and Samuel should have more success in the passing game if Purdy returns Sunday. Over 10 regular-season games, Samuel has registered 34 catches on 56 targets for 511 yards and one touchdown along with 79 rushing yards and one score on 27 carries.
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