NEWSLETTER
Deebo Samuel has had his ups and downs with the 49ers since being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but his “ups” have proven to be some of the most valuable fantasy football performances lucky managers have ever seen. The “downs” have ranged from rumors of his discontent over being used as a running back —though he insists that was never the case— to minor injuries, including a Jones fracture, groin strain, and an MCL sprain that has kept him out of 12 games combined in the 2020 and 2022 season.
Ahead of the 2023 season, he is purportedly back to full health, and he has made sure that everyone, including his head coach, knows about it.
“Never had a grown man send me so many pictures with his shirt off, but it looks good, and I can tell he’s put the work in,” Kyle Shanahan recently told reporters.
When on the field over the last two seasons, Deebo Samuel has been a fantasy football machine, finishing as the WR2 in half-PPR points per game in ’21 and the WR21 in ’22 in weeks he was active. He’s been the personification of a “position-less” offensive weapon, accruing 125.7 fantasy points as a rusher over that time frame, while also lining up all over the formation.
Deebo Samuel, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers, 4for4’s WR18 in Half-PPR Fantasy Football Rankings
Samuel was on-pace to see the same type of rushing usage as he did in 2021, but his season was sadly cut short. This was the second time in three years that he was unable to finish a full season, but with the amount of usage he gets, that can be expected. He figures to rotate into the backfield yet again in ’23, which sets him up with a great floor.
San Francisco 49ers current wide receiver depth chart:
- Brandon Aiyuk
- Deebo Samuel
- Jauan Jennings
- Danny Gray
- Chris Conley
- Ray-Ray McCloud
Deebo Samuel 2023 Fantasy Football Outlook
Deebo Samuel followed up a WR3 finish in 2021 with a WR31 finish last year, though he was WR21 on a per-game basis. In five games with likely starting quarterback Brock Purdy, Samuel led the team in targets (6.8 per game), receptions (4.4), and yards (60), so if he can stay healthy, he should find himself back in the top 20. He averaged 19.7 rushing yards prior to Christian McCaffrey’s arrival and 15.7 after, so his rushing took a slight hit.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan will continue to scheme Samuel touches, so he has a pretty stable floor for a receiver.
Who is wide receiver Deebo Samuel?
Deebo Samuel is a professional American football wide receiver who currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 15, 1996, in Inman, South Carolina, Samuel had an impressive college career at the University of South Carolina before being selected by the 49ers in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 215 pounds, Samuel is known for his agility, speed, and ability to break tackles, earning him the nickname “Deebo” after the tough character in the movie “Friday.” He quickly made an impact in his rookie season, showcasing his versatility as both a receiver and a rusher.
With his dynamic style of play, Samuel became a vital weapon for the 49ers’ offense and played a significant role in their successful 2019 season, including a Super Bowl appearance. Despite some injury setbacks, he continues to be a key contributor to the 49ers’ offense, providing a reliable and explosive target for their quarterbacks. With his talent and determination, Deebo Samuel is expected to have a bright future in the NFL, leaving fans excited for what he will accomplish in the seasons to come.
Who are some additional 49ers players to keep an eye on in fantasy football drafts?
Due to San Francisco’s incredible offensive scheme, there are a handful of fantasy football targets on the team. Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk should be targeted as a low-end WR2, while tight end George Kittle provides enough touchdown-upside and after-the-catch ability to be locked in as a top-five TE. Chrisitan McCaffrey is in the running to be the first-overall selection in drafts and leaves enough on the plate for Elijah Mitchell to be a double-digit round target as an RB4. Because of all of these options, quarterback Brock Purdy has a ceiling as a top-20 fantasy football asset if he is the starter from Week 1.
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