The 49ers are still aiming to salvage their Deebo Samuel partnership, but with the draft hours away, teams are seeing what it will take to pry the All-Pro playmaker from the NFC West franchise.
Multiple teams have sent the 49ers offers, with Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reporting (video link) the proposals have included a first-round pick and change. San Francisco, however, has not budged just yet. Samuel requested a trade eight days ago.
It is possible the 49ers are waiting to see what teams’ final offers will be once the draft starts, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes a successful Samuel trade would also mean a new contract being negotiated and the fourth-year receiver taking a physical. Time is running out on these fronts.
The Jets remain the team most closely connected to Samuel, and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes the book is not yet closed on such a swap (Twitter link). It could depend on how the draft board looks when the Jets’ No. 10 pick rolls around, Cimini adds. Due to their Trey Lance trade-up last year, the 49ers do not have a first-round pick. But the draft board suddenly looks relevant to San Francisco, given the Samuel drama.
Green Bay and Detroit have been mentioned as Samuel suitors, but a trade to New York has been the most-discussed scenario. The Jets were believed to be “all in” on acquiring the fourth-year wideout. The team was prepared to give Tyreek Hill a market-resetting extension, but the speed merchant chose Miami. The Jets would also be willing to trade No. 10 overall for D.K. Metcalf, though the Seahawks are not believed to be interested. One of the draft’s top storylines appears to be whether the 49ers are interested in the 10th pick as the centerpiece of a Samuel trade package.
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