DeeboSamuel Sr.

News: 6 days agoSamuel brought in one of two targets for four yards in the 49ers' 41-17 preseason win over the Chargers on Thursday night.

Spin: Samuel and the rest of the healthy 49ers offensive starters were out there for the team's opening possession, and the veteran wideout ended up recording his first catch in a San Francisco uniform since Week 17 of the 2024 season. His reception came on the Niners' first play from scrimmage, and the 30-year-old figures to play a prominent role in the air attack throughout the 2026 season alongside new No. 1 receiver Mike Evans (quadriceps) and fellow offseason addition Christian Kirk (calf).

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Samuel reunited with the 49ers in July after solid yet unspectacular lone season in Washington. The former second-round pick cleared 85 touches and 800 scrimmage yards for the fifth consecutive season and finished 25th among receivers in fantasy points -- his third-career top-30 fantasy campaign. Samuel's role as a short-area target and occasional rusher gets the ball in his hands plenty (he's ranked in the top 15 among WRs in touches and RAC five years in a row), but it doesn't allow him much scoring upside (10 TDs over the last two years, and he's never cleared five end zone targets in one season). Now 30 years old, Samuel figures to resume his role as a short-area playmaker in Kyle Shanahan's highly-efficient offense. He's a fine late-round flier with WR3/flex upside.