Commanders get fresh proof Adam Peters stole Deebo Samuel from 49ers

Deebo Samuel Sr. has been on a mission this offseason . And he's already showing why Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters stole him from the San Francisco 49ers.

The Commanders' wide receiver is aiming to silence his doubters and remind the world why he was among the league's most dynamic playmakers once upon a time. Samuel looks in shape, sharp, and ready to make a significant difference. Fans have seen this in training camp, and they got another brief glimpse with an impressive jet sweep early in Washington's preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Considering that Peters coughed up just a fifth-round pick to acquire Samuel from his old employers, this could be an absolute steal. This was further evidenced by the current asking price of other wide receivers who are being traded before the dreaded cut-down day around the NFL.

Commanders bold trade for Deebo Samuel Sr. keeps getting better

The New Orleans Saints raised eyebrows by acquiring Devaughn Vele via trade from the Denver Broncos. He's a good player in his prime who should be an asset, but the compensation attached seemed way more than the going rate.

New Orleans is sending a 2026 fourth-round selection and a 2027 seventh-rounder to the Broncos for Vele. While the difference in salary between the player and Samuel is vast, so is the production.

The Niners couldn't wait to get rid of Samuel. They ate $34 million in dead cap money to remove him from the equation when things fizzled out and confidence between both sides diminished. Peters wasn't ready to give up on the former second-round pick, and the All-Pro is working hard to repay this faith.

There are other concerns in the wide receiver room right now. Terry McLaurin's contract standoff shows no signs of being resolved successfully, and those further down the depth chart haven't exactly shone consistently enough over the summer. They are situations worth monitoring, but it makes Washington's trade for Samuel all the more beneficial.

Keeping Samuel focused, energized, and healthy is crucial. The Commanders have a good culture that the South Carolina product has embraced fully. He's fi tting in and wants to prove worthy of another financial commitment from the franchise. That represents the best-case scenario for all involved, and it cost Peters almost nothing to bring him on board.

Nothing is guaranteed. Samuel might struggle and prove his down year in San Francisco was the start of his career downward spiral. He might get hurt and miss considerable time. But for now, the signs couldn't be more promising.

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