3 can’t-refuse trades 49ers would accept for Deebo Samuel
By Peter Panacy
No. 2 offer 49ers can’t refuse for Deebo Samuel: Los Angeles Chargers
In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a bit of an arms race going on within the AFC West this offseason. While the Kansas City Chiefs are still arguably at the top of the division, thanks largely to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the remaining AFC West teams all scrambled to stockpile weaponry left and right.
The Denver Broncos adding quarterback Russell Wilson, the Las Vegas Raiders grabbing wide receiver Davante Adams and the Los Angeles Chargers luring in defenders like J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack, too.
The Bolts are arguably the No. 2 team behind KC right now, and they can afford to be aggressive while quarterback Justin Herbert plays on his cheapish rookie contract. However, Over the Cap has Los Angeles at only $8.6 million under the cap in 2023, meaning it’ll have a tough time re-signing star safety Derwin James when his current deal expires after this season.
Including James in a would-be deal for Deebo Samuel could be attractive to the 49ers. Sure, James has had issues staying on the field, appearing in only five games in 2019 and missing 2020 entirely. But he’s electrifying when present, and the Niners do have a need at strong safety with Jaquiski Tartt no longer on the roster.
The Chargers would have to figure out how to work a would-be Samuel extension into the fray, but they nevertheless have to be competitive now amid the division.
James, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2022 draft, a 2023 second-round pick plus San Francisco getting a one-year advance on a fifth-round selection could be enough to move Samuel.