Analysts seem split on futures of 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel

According to Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported during a Monday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that the San Francisco 49ers "don't plan to move on from" either Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel even though the club made wide receiver Ricky Pearsall the 31st pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated sounded less confident about the subject while speaking on FS1's "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" program. 

"I've changed my thinking on that," Breer explained about the situation, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "I now think they're probably going to try to extend Aiyuk, and I think Deebo Samuel is available. I think Aiyuk is viewed more as the true No. 1 receiver there, a guy who is a more natural receiver. And Deebo Samuel, as good as he is, and unique as he is, might be seen as a little bit of a luxury item there."

Aiyuk was the subject of numerous trade rumors leading up to the draft, as he is in the final year of his rookie contract and is looking to cash in after he became a security blanket for quarterback Brock Purdy during Purdy's first full campaign atop the depth chart. 

According to ESPN stats, Aiyuk led the team for the 2023 regular season with 75 receptions, 105 targets, 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches (tied with two others). 

Samuel's deal runs through the 2025 season. 

ESPN's Nick Wagoner said following the draft that San Francisco "likely" will hold onto Aiyuk and Samuel and leave a "difficult decision" for next offseason. For a mailbag published on Tuesday morning, Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group wrote that Aiyuk and Samuel should remain teammates for at least one more season "barring unforeseen drama internally or another team’s desperation before the Nov. 5 (trade) deadline." 

Breer seemed to agree with Inman but also hinted the 49ers could take calls about Samuel leading up to training camp. 

"So I think the plan for now is to keep all those guys on the roster together and make one more all-in run with the entire group," Breer added about the 49ers. "But if you ask me who's going to be on the Niners' roster longer, whether the change happens now or a year from now, I'd say Aiyuk is probably going to be there for a longer period of time than Deebo."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the 49ers as the betting favorites at +250 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX. Thus, it makes sense San Francisco wants to keep the band together for as long as possible.