49ers can target these 3 free agents to replace Deebo Samuel
While Deebo’s time with San Francisco isn’t guaranteed to be over, it doesn’t mean the 49ers can’t look ahead to the free-agent market to replace him.
It was an odd and often fruitless season for wide receiver Deebo Samuel, something that epitomized, in many ways, the failures of the San Francisco 49ers as a whole. Just like the Niners, Samuel came into the 2024 season with high expectations, and both fell hard due to injuries and poor performances.
So, the news that Deebo requested a trade out of San Francisco is not entirely shocking and maybe something that is mutually beneficial for both sides, but there’s no doubt that if the 29-year-old Samuel leaves the Bay Area, there will be a need to fill his dual role as both a wide receiver and a sometimes-running back.
Some of that production must come from inside the building, be it via continued improvement from fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings, a sophomore bump for 2024 rookies Ricky Pearsall and/or Jacob Cowing, or the healthy return of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but the Niners will likely look to the free-agent market and the draft to bolster the receiver corps.
One name that won’t feature on this list is All-Pro Davante Adams since he’s still a member of the New York Jets and would have to be acquired via trade, a move the former Green Bay Packer would reportedly be interested in.
Instead, the focus is on players who will only cost money, something the 49ers should have a decent amount of heading into the offseason, even if moving Samuel will complicate that a little.
The Niners aren’t necessarily looking for a No. 1 receiver, since Aiyuk will be that guy once he returns form his injury, just someone who can complement the rest of the offensive skill players and possibly provide something akin to the versatility that Deebo has offered when at his best.
WR/KR KaVontae Turpin
The Dallas Cowboys were a disaster last year, but one thing that stood out more often than not was their return specialist, KaVontae Turpin.
Turpin finished the season as a first-team All-Pro as the kick returner after leading the NFL in kick-return yards with 904 and average per return at 33.5. He added a solid 10.4 yards per return when fielding punts. Turpin also scored a touchdown in both phases of the game.
While the aforementioned Cowing was solid in the punt-return role, he was never flashy, and the 49ers could do with an influx of talent on special teams after an absolute disaster of a season for that unit in 2024.
New special teams coordinator Brant Boyer might have a say in guys they bring in to replace Deebo, and adding a spark like Turpin, who can also feature as a receiver and gadget guy on offense could add an entirely new dimension in 2025.
Turpin is also likely not to break the bank, as OverThe Cap has his current valuation at under $1 million per season.
WR Elijah Moore
The second option is a former high draft pick who will be looking for a new situation to prove his worth: former Jets and Cleveland Browns wideout Elijah Moore.
