ESPN names former All-Pro receiver who hasn't signed yet as a 'dream fit' for the Denver Broncos

The initial wave of free agency may be over, but there are still plenty of quality players that remain un-signed.

And ESPN thinks of those players, specifically, would be a great fit for the Broncos.

ESPN names wide receiver Deebo Samuel as a great fit for the Broncos

ESPN's Bill Barnwell named free agent wide receiver Deebo Samuel this week as a "dream fit" for the Broncos.

"Samuel is a dream fit for the Broncos' offense, where Bo Nix wants to get the ball out quickly when he has a numbers advantage or throw the ball on digs and deep crossers off play-action," wrote Barnwell. "The Broncos have a crowded receiver room with Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr. and Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but Samuel would be a rugged addition who offers more physicality than just about anybody in that mix. He could also be a useful runner for coach Sean Payton as a changeup in short yardage or near the goal line, where Nix is often used on sneaks and designed runs."

Samuel was an All-Pro in 2021 when he caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns while also rushing for 365 yards and eight touchdowns for the San Francisco 49ers.

The former South Carolina Gamecocks standout, however, has been hampered by injuries over the years. As a result, Samuel hasn't been able to recreate his production from 2021, though he's still been a productive player, averaging 897 yards from scrimmage over the last four seasons.

"Samuel is rarely seen at 100 percent," noted Barnwell. "He has managed to regularly stay on the field over the past three years, missing just five games over that span, but he has been limited to a sub-50% snap share five more times over that span, including once in the postseason."

Samuel is the type of versatile playmaker that Broncos head coach Sean Payton loves. And even though he's not a player that can be the focal point of an offense anymore, Samuel is still a talented player that can create mismatches for opposing defenses.