First Cooper Kupp, now Deebo Samuel – the 49ers granted him permission to seek a trade this offseason, so here are 5 ideal fantasy destinations for Deebo in 2025.

The problem with Deebo compared to a guy like Cooper Kupp is that he doesn’t have this, ELITE target earning profile that we can say we’ve seen recently. In Kupp’s case, we saw that THIS season – he averaged a 29% target share in 9 games through the first 14 weeks of 2024. Deebo averaged a 19% target share for the season and topped 25% in only six games. So this is a receiver who isn’t an elite target earner – or even a good one, to be honest – so I think he’ll fit best on a team with less target competition where he can be a de facto Number one or on an offense that’s good enough that it will elevate him by default.

1. New England Patriots

   • The Patriots need receivers, but they might need experience in the wide receiver room more. They took Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in last year’s draft, but neither of them hit the ground running in 2024. Drake Maye looked impressive this past season and the clock is already ticking on his rookie contract, and with the most cap space in the league, the Patriots have the facilities to add Samuel relatively cheaply as a veteran presence that can instantly become Maye’s safety blanket. As I mentioned before – no competition for touches as things stand today, so he could thrive in New England.

2. Washington Commanders

   • When one of the best offenses in the NFL has an opening at the WR2 spot and Jayden Daniels as its quarterback, it’s going to be listed as a top destination for every big-name free agent. I’d still rather see Cooper Kupp go here, but Deebo offers a skillset in one player that Washington was using three wide receivers last year to cover (Jamison Crowder, Noah Brown, and Dyami Brown). Kliff Kingsbury could scheme up production for him and with Jayden Daniels’ ability off-script, Deebo would be in for a bounce-back year moving from Santa Clara to Washington D.C.

3. Chicago Bears

   • Another team with a lot of cap space – they’re fifth – but it’s Ben Johnson that has me intrigued by this potential landing spot for Deebo. Keenan Allen is a free agent in March, so the Bears could do a pull-and-play by swapping in Deebo in Caleb Williams’ second year and roll with the three-headed monster of D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Deebo Samuel. Then say the Bears draft Ashton Jeanty at 10… they’d be giving Ben Johnson an arsenal that’s as close as any team to the juggernaut he was pulling the strings for in Detroit. I’m bullish enough on Ben Johnson in Chicago that I think the offense as a unit can elevate Deebo to relevance again.

4. Denver Broncos

   • Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele, and Marvin Mims are all WR3s at best at this point in their careers, and Bo Nix needs another dependable target aside of Courtland Sutton in his second year. Sutton is a great contested catch and deep ball receiver, so Deebo can complement him nicely in the short game and across the middle. Sean Payton said it himself last week – they’re looking for a joker type player – and Deebo can be just that. Denver is squarely in contention for not only the playoffs but also a potential run, so now is the time to load up and make a push.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

   • My least favorite of these potential landing spots, hence their ranking at five, but there’s nothing to worry about in terms of competition for targets for Deebo here. He can do a lot of what George Pickens doesn’t – that is, navigate the short areas of the field and make the catches between the hashes – and be an upgrade over Calvin Austin in the same role. The quarterback situation being up in the air is less than ideal, too, but there would be opportunity for sure in Pittsburgh where I’d at least be intrigued with the landing spot.