Deebo Samuel Sr. Week 1 Outlook - 49ers at Rams

By Derek Brown (FantasyPros), Sun, Sep 13th 2026, 12:44pm EDT

Deebo Samuel rejoins the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal after a one-year dalliance with the Commanders. Last year, Samuel was the WR29 in fantasy points per game while putting up a varied stat line. Last year, among 109 qualifying receivers, Samuel was 18th in target share (22.4%), ninth in yards after the catch per reception (6.6), 21st in first-read share (27.3%), and ninth-best in missed tackles forced per reception. Unfortunately, though, among the same sample of receivers, he was also 38th in yards per route run and 53rd in first downs per route run (0.076) while seeing his usual bevy of underneath targets (5.3 aDOT, 103rd out of 109 qualifying receivers). Last year, the Rams utilized zone coverage at the seventh-highest rate (76.4%). Over the last three seasons, against zone, Samuel has had a 23% target-per-route run rate and 2.06 yards per route run. Samuel is a viable PPR flex for Week 1, but the matchup is tough. Last year, the Rams allowed the 14th-fewest yards per target and fantasy points per opportunity to receivers.