Super Bowl 54: Predicting why 49ers Deebo Samuel will be game’s MVP

On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers advanced to their seventh Super Bowl appearance. With so many stars on offense and defense, Niner Noise makes a bold prediction rookie wide receiver Deebo Samuel will be the MVP.

The San Francisco 49ers are in a unique situation when it comes to Super Bowl LIV MVP candidates. The Niners are incredibly balanced and there is no standout, number one guy that pops out.

It’s not because they lack a player who can rise to an MVP-level performance, rather, it’s a matter of who among them will distinguish themselves from a crowded field.

For instance, should the Kansa City Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV, the safe money bet on MVP is a no-brainer: Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. This is not saying the Chiefs don’t have other guys who could be the MVP, but let’s face it: Mahomes clearly leaps out among his teammates.

For the 49ers, one could easily say it’ll be one of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tight end George Kittle, wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders,  Deebo Samuel, or Kendrick Bourne; or running backs Matt Breida or Raheem Mostert on offense.

Though rare, it could also be one of EDGEs Nick Bosa, or Dee Ford, corners Richard Sherman or Emmanuel Moseley, MIKE linebacker Fred Warner, defensive tackle Deforest Buckner, or SAM linebacker Kwon Alexander.

It’s a dart-throw picking for any of the 49ers. Any one of those guys could very well be the MVP. It’s not as safe of a bet as picking Mahomes for the Chiefs.

But this is a bold prediction.

My pick is wide receiver Deebo Samuel as the Super Bowl LIV MVP.

If the Chiefs’ defense had a glaring weakness early in the season, it was stopping the run game. They’ve made adjustments and the results are evident.

The Chiefs stopped the runaway train that was running back Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans during the AFC Championship Game. They held Henry to only 69 yards and a mere 3.6 yards per carry in that game.

One would think 49ers mastermind head coach Kyle Shanahan will seek to exploit the Chiefs’ run defense emphatically—especially given his penchant for pounding the run game. Considering the 49ers boast one of the best run games in the league, the logic follows.

And it will happen, but in a different way than the Titans ran the ball against the Chiefs. The 49ers will lean on the running talents of Mostert, Tevin Coleman—if available after dislocating his shoulder, Breida, and perhaps even Jeff Wilson.

Strong as the run game is, the Niners are more dimensional than people think.  To win Super Bowl LIV, the 49ers will need to tap into the receiving corps.

The Titans’ mistake was a lopsided gameplan; too much run, not enough receiving, and let’s skip over the sloppy defense part. Shanahan will not make these mistakes.

If the Chiefs stack the box to stop the 49ers’ dominant run game, leaving a single-high look as they did against the Titans, the 49ers will find a way to exploit open lanes on flat, cross, and outside routes.

Shanahan will eat that up. He’ll force the Chiefs to switch their scheme from man to zone.

Garoppolo will not struggle where Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill fell short. Jimmy G is a superior talent, even though that talent hasn’t been showcased often this year simply because there’s been very little need for it.

But in the instances where the 49ers needed Garoppolo to step up his passing game, he’s been fantastic. Teams who have dared the 49ers into passing situations have paid the price.

While there is no real No. 1 super-stud receiver like Deandre Hopkins of the Houston Texans or Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints, the 49ers instead have a core of several high-echelon options.

Whenever Kittle is on the field, he’s an undeniable threat who must be accounted for. Whether he’s blocking or pass-catching, the Chiefs would be smart to focus on him. They’re also likely to focus on Mostert given his record-setting steamrolling of the Green Bay Packers.

The Chiefs understand Sanders is a three-time Super Bowl veteran capable of making a game-changing play at any moment, and Bourne can easily pick up a first down in a pinch.  And then there’s Samuel, who’s making quite a name for himself.

Thus far this season, Samuel has played in 17 games and started in 13 of those. His stats:

Regular season: 57 receptions for 802 yards with three touchdowns and 14 carries for 159 yards with three touchdowns.

Playoffs: Five receptions for 88 yards and three carries for 49 yards.

That’s saying a lot considering how little the 49ers have passed the ball.

One of the things that make the 5′ 11″, 214-pound receiver so dangerous is his ability to play running back or wideout on the fly. Per NextGen Stats, Deebo gains the bulk of his yardage in situations where he totes the rock behind the line of scrimmage.

He also piles up the YAC out of the flat or in the slot.

The 49ers used Deebo as a running back at least once in eight games during the regular season, and three times during both playoff games.

And he’s selfless.

Samuel made two critical blocks to help teammates gain valuable yards after the catch or score.

While teams are starting to notice him, the splashier names get the attention and double-teaming. That’s okay. Keep at it and Deebo will cash in.

That’s the beauty of having so many weapons in all facets of the team. The 49ers truly look like the most complete team.

The Chiefs have proven they can spot opponents 20 points and still demoralize them in the end. Unequivocably, the 49ers will have to step on the gas in every area, and not let up until the clock hits zero.

The San Francisco 49ers are on the brink of winning their sixth Lombardi trophy—just let that sink in.

This sensational rookie, Deebo Samuel, could just be the guy to shine the brightest on the biggest stage in football.