The [Washington Commanders](https://www.hogshaven.com/) made a big move early into the 2025 offseason, acquiring wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the [San Francisco 49ers](https://www.ninersnation.com/). It is the best-case scenario, acquiring Samuel for a fifth-round pick before heading into free agency for Washington, who had just Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey signed at the wide receiver position.
Samuel, 29, is super-competitive and one of the more physical receivers in the NFL. Washington will most realize Samuel’s value at the catch point and with the ball in his hand. He has good grip strength to thrive in contested situations and shows a willingness to attack footballs, adjusting to high point or extending beyond his frame to reel in passes. With the football in his hands, Washington can use a creator in tight spaces, such as Deebo, who has excellent vision and top-tier functional strength, making him a difficult player to bring down.
A narrative exists with Samuel that he is no longer the old Deebo, as his most productive season came in 2021 (1,770 yards from scrimmage); it is a fair question to ask what he has left in the tank. Alternatively, Samuel played the last three seasons in San Francisco, playing second-fiddle to future hall-of-fame running back Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers have two additional top-tier players on their roster, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk, who demand touches and are capable of taking over games as well. Because of his versatility, Samuel still finished second in touches behind McCaffrey since he joined the team in 2022.
In 2024, the reports of his weight management issues and the overall discontent between him and the organization came to a head. What is Washington getting in a 2025 Deebo Samuel? I broke down his 2024 tape in this Trap or Dive film session, and show why the “old Deeo Samuel” has not gone anywhere.
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