Deebo Samuel

Contract now includes bonuses for rushing... will be a center piece of the offense once again.

Before excelling in the "wide back" role for the 49ers, Deebo Samuel was already an elite option at wide receiver for fantasy football. Last year in Weeks 1-9, he was the WR2 in fantasy points per game behind only Cooper Kupp. Over that stretch, Samuel was leading all wide receivers in yards per route run (minimum 25 targets, per PFF). He averaged an insane 10.1 targets, 6.1 receptions, and 110.3 receiving yards per game, so "wide back" or no "wide back" matters very little.

Deebo Samuel made me pay the price for overlooking him, as the talented wideout finished last season as the WR2 overall and in points per game (18.8). His receiving production alone would have him placed inside the top-10.

But there's reason to believe that Samuel won't be able to sustain that same elite production from last season. Natural regression is firmly in play considering no WR earned more fantasy points above expectation than Samuel did in 2021.

And that number doesn't come as a surprise considering nearly 30% of Samuel's fantasy points came from rushing alone.

Samuel has now played two-thirds of the snaps in 29 career games, finishing as a WR1 in 11 of those games and averaging 17.7 points per game, scoring single-digit points in just four of those games. - Sharp Football "We want Deebo in a more traditional WR role.
13.8 expected half-PPR points per game over his first 8 games last season, as a traditional WR.
11.3 expected half-PPR points per game over his final 8 games, in a hybrid RB/WR role." @Smola DS

I doubt SF will utilize Deebo in the same manner they did last season as it has caused some friction between Deebo and the team. He is still the most physical WR in the NFL and will continue to terrorize defenses. He would be higher on my list if we knew what to expect from QB Trey Lance.

No. 2 WR in half-PPR FPPG, but sans his rushing output, he would have been WR25, which makes reports of plans to dial back his carries concerning

5/15: Re-followed the 49ers. HUGE. But in all seriousness, repairing and returning to San Fran = ideal. Let's hope this is a sign for better times

Samuel was incredible this year with 1,630 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns in the fantasy season. He should have another stellar year playing in Kyle Shanahan's offense, provided his contract situation does not result in a lengthy holdout.