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Commanders Deebo Poised for 2 Major Roles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 4, 2025 11:28 PM ET

One area of weakness for the Washington Commanders last season was no help for Terry McLaurin.

While "Scary Terry" still put up over 1,000 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns, the Commanders and general manager Adam Peters wanted to take some of the offensive burden off his plate.

So they made a trade for San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Deebo Samuel.

The move signalled the Commanders' intentions for 2025 - they are going for it all.

But while Samuel's receiving abilities are well-known, so too is his ability to be used as a running back, and CBS Sports' Jared Dubin thinks Deebo will help fill two key roles within Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

"(DC) didn't have a true No. 2 option in the passing game last year beyond Terry McLaurin, and they also didn't really have the gadget guy that Kliff Kingsbury wants in his offense," Dubin writes. "Samuel should fill both roles."

Samuel, as a receiver in Washington alongside McLaurin, gives Jayden Daniels two genuine weapons that defenses will have to gameplan for.

But the beauty of Deebo the player is that he can be used out of the backfield, too.

We have seen his ability to bust through tackles on jet sweeps and quick throws when lined up behind Brock Purdy, and now Samuel will come to one of the best rushing attacks in football.

Having him behind Daniels will give defenses nightmares, as Jayden is also a devastating runner. Put those two together, and that is a good recipe for success.

Samuel has been seen as a Swiss Army Knife of sorts since entering the league, and you can bet that Kingsbury will be dialing up the plays that best to utilize Deebo's skillset.

Filling two roles with one player? That's a Deebo Samuel special, my friends.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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