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Deebo Samuel
WR · SF

Deebo Samuel

Position WR
Team SF
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Deebo Samuel

NFL player. Position: WR. Team: San Francisco 49ers.

Quick Facts

  • Position: WR
  • Team: San Francisco 49ers
  • Age: 30

2026 Outlook

Signed with San Francisco 49ers on one-year deal (up to $7M) after Commanders declined to re-sign him. Returns to the offense where he had his best NFL seasons (2021 All-Pro year: 1,770 scrimmage yards, 14 TDs). Now positioned as de facto WR2 after Ricky Pearsall was placed on season-ending IR with a recurring PCL injury (8/1) requiring surgery and a projected 6-12 month recovery. Samuel gets meaningful opportunity alongside Mike Evans and tight end George Kittle in Kyle Shanahan's scheme. At 30, Samuel is a rotational receiver and multi-purpose threat rather than a featured WR1, but Pearsall's absence removes competition and elevates his role. Unlike new signings, Samuel avoids the learning curve — he's fluent in Shanahan's playbook from his 2019-2024 tenure with the 49ers and can contribute immediately (per 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall to be placed on season-ending IR with PCL injury and Reunited: 49ers to sign Deebo Samuel as injuries mount at receiver).

49ers plan to deploy Samuel in multiple roles: WR, running back, and return specialist. GM Lynch confirmed Samuel will see snaps across all three roles, maximizing his touches in an offense short on depth after Pearsall's season-ending injury (per WR Deebo Samuel will also play running back and return kicks in second 49ers stint). August 3 training camp assessment from Lynch: "It's like he didn't miss a beat... He's looked fantastic" (per 49ers GM John Lynch on receiver situation and injuries)

Aug 28 roster confirmation — Multi-position flexibility: The 49ers' 53-man roster projection confirms Samuel's critical role in solving positional depth issues. His ability to play running back alongside receiving duties helps the team carry just four backs (McCaffrey, James, Black, Juszczyk) instead of the typical five, preserving roster flexibility elsewhere. This multi-position utility elevates Samuel's snap share and targets in 2026, making him more valuable than a traditional WR2. (per 49ers 53-man roster projection: Where position battles stand ahead of cutdown day - The San Francisco Standard).

By August 9, HC Kyle Shanahan underscored the importance of Samuel's role replacement: "Losing Ricky was a real big deal... no one here is wired exactly how Ricky is... You do lose a big part of what we were planning on and that's where guys do have to step up." Samuel also sent a supportive message to Pearsall: "Just keep your head up, man. Your time's coming." Samuel's return to San Francisco eliminates the learning curve and positions him to absorb a meaningful target share in 2026 (per 49ers' Kyle Shanahan Gets Blunt on Ricky Pearsall Injury).

Role / Depth Chart

WR2 for 49ers in 2026 (with Pearsall on season-ending IR). Rotational receiver and multi-purpose threat in Kyle Shanahan's offense, splitting targets with Mike Evans (WR1) and George Kittle (TE).

Injury Status

Healthy as of July 2026.

Recent News

Open Questions

  • Will Deebo Samuel maintain his flex value with limited target share, or does receiving a boost from Pearsall's injury push him into WR2 territory?
  • How will Kyle Shanahan balance Samuel's usage between traditional receiving routes and manufactured touches/runs?

Sources

Coaches shaping Deebo's role

Kyle ShanahanHead CoachKlay KubiakOffensive CoordinatorJerry GrayDefensive Passing Game CoordinatorLeonard HankersonPassing Game Coordinator/Wide ReceiversAndrew Hayes-StokerOffensive Assistant/Wide ReceiversChris FoersterAssistant Head Coach/Offensive LineRoman SapoluAssistant Offensive Line

What the Experts Are Saying

Fantasy Football TodayAre These Fantasy Football Stars TOO RISKY to Draft in 2026? CMC, Puka, Jacobs, Egbuka, & More!
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