Leave it to the NFL to have a blockbuster trade announced during the middle of the NFL Scouting Combine, where it’s meant for rookies to show off their physical traits.
If you missed the details, Deebo Samuel was traded to the Washington Commanders, with the San Francisco 49ers receiving a fifth-round pick. So, with this Deebo Samuel news already shaking up the offseason, we have to discuss how it impacts the fantasy football realm!
The Fantasy Football Impact of Deebo Samuel Traded to the Commanders
Deebo Samuel & Washington Commanders Impact
I called it from the get-go because this trade makes too much sense for the Commanders. There are two possible big-name free-agent wide receivers: Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin. However, based on the rumors, it seems more likely that Higgins and Godwin will stay put on their respective teams.
Last year, the Commanders had three different wide receivers play the WR2 role in their offense at different points in the year: Dyami Brown, Noah Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus. The issue? All of those players, as well as Zach Ertz, are Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs). Yes, that’s right; four of the six players last year to have 300+ receiving yards for the Commanders are upcoming UFAs. They had to plug a hole at that position. So they traded for a receiver who has gone for 390+ receiving yards and at least one receiving touchdown in every season of his six-year career as a 49er.
Another interesting consideration is that there is a reunion with Deebo Samuel and Adam Peters. The Commanders’ new general manager was the 49ers’ assistant general manager from 2021 to 2023. During those seasons, Samuel never finished lower than WR34, and in those two seasons where he played 15+ games, he never finished lower than WR7.
The trade will impact Terry McLaurin a bit, but I don’t think by much; he might just be nudged down a round or two if anything. The fantasy impact is way better for Samuel as he leaves a “crowded” receiver room in San Francisco to play alongside Jayden Daniels! It would be bold to think that the South Carolina alum would go back to being a WR1 this year, but I really like him to be among the top 25-30 receivers.
San Francisco 49ers Impact
On the other side, the crowded wide receiver room of Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall did clear up a bit. Samuel did take a lot of the targets for the 49ers, with 80+ in every season when Brock Purdy was the starter. Shockingly, the biggest winner of this trade may surprise you…
Looking back at last season, the most-targeted player for the 49ers was Jauan Jennings with 113. I understand that Brandon Aiyuk had an injury-shortened season, and Ricky Pearsall had a tough beginning to his rookie year. However, even if you toggled the stats to per game, Jennings was a clear winner. He had a pretty comfortable margin over the other two, averaging 7.5 targets and 5.1 receptions for 65 yards per game. Compare that to Aiyuk’s 3.5 receptions for 53.4 yards on 6.7 targets and Pearsall’s 2.8 receptions for 36.4 yards on 4.1 targets, and the Tennessee receiver still stands out.
For the 49ers, the biggest winner is Jennings. I can easily sense him becoming a FLEX-worthy candidate or my top bench spot in redraft leagues. I can also see Pearsall seeing an uptick in targets and I would look to stash the 2024 first-rounder on my bench at the end of the rounds. Just beware that he’s still behind Aiyuk and Jennings on the depth chart. Not to mention that Christian McCaffrey is also returning, and George Kittle remains on the roster. The 49ers’ receiver room may have opened up some without Deebo Samuel, but it will still be a crowded and talented roster.
Check out all of our articles on the Fantasy Football Impacts of 2025 NFL Free Agency & Trades:
- NFL 2025 Free Agency Fantasy Football Winners & Losers (Day 3)
- NFL 2025 Free Agency Fantasy Football Winners & Losers (Day 2)
- NFL 2025 Free Agency Fantasy Football Winners & Losers (Day 1)
- The Fantasy Football Impact of D.K. Metcalf Traded to the Steelers
- The Fantasy Football Impact of Geno Smith Traded to the Raiders
- The Fantasy Football Impact of Christian Kirk Traded to the Texans
- The Fantasy Football Impact of Deebo Samuel Traded to the Commanders
Thanks for reading “The Fantasy Football Impact of Deebo Samuel Traded to the Commanders.” If you’re looking for more fantasy content like this or need help with the last-minute fantasy football start/sit decisions for your roster, you can find me on Facebook at “Fantasy Sports Start or Sit’Em Questions,” Twitter/X @FSSOSEQ or on BlueSky!
*Photo Credit: Steven Bisig – USA TODAY Sports*
