It was an odd and often fruitless season for wide receiver Deebo Samuel, something that epitomized, in many ways, the failures of the San Francisco 49ers as a whole. Just like the Niners, Samuel came into the 2024 season with high expectations, and both fell hard due to injuries and poor performances.
So, the news that Deebo requested a trade out of San Francisco is not entirely shocking and maybe something that is mutually beneficial for both sides, but there's no doubt that if the 29-year-old Samuel leaves the Bay Area, there will be a need to fill his dual role as both a wide receiver and a sometimes-running back.
Some of that production must come from inside the building, be it via continued improvement from fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings, a sophomore bump for 2024 rookies Ricky Pearsall and/or Jacob Cowing, or the healthy return of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but the Niners will likely look to the free-agent market and the draft to bolster the receiver corps.
One name that won't feature on this list is All-Pro Davante Adams since he's still a member of the New York Jets and would have to be acquired via trade, a move the former Green Bay Packer would reportedly be interested in.
Instead, the focus is on players who will only cost money, something the 49ers should have a decent amount of heading into the offseason, even if moving Samuel will complicate that a little.
The Niners aren't necessarily looking for a No. 1 receiver, since Aiyuk will be that guy once he returns form his injury, just someone who can complement the rest of the offensive skill players and possibly provide something akin to the versatility that Deebo has offered when at his best.
WR/KR KaVontae Turpin
The Dallas Cowboys were a disaster last year, but one thing that stood out more often than not was their return specialist, KaVontae Turpin.
Turpin finished the season as a first-team All-Pro as the kick returner after leading the NFL in kick-return yards with 904 and average per return at 33.5. He added a solid 10.4 yards per return when fielding punts. Turpin also scored a touchdown in both phases of the game.
While the aforementioned Cowing was solid in the punt-return role, he was never flashy, and the 49ers could do with an influx of talent on special teams after an absolute disaster of a season for that unit in 2024.
New special teams coordinator Brant Boyer might have a say in guys they bring in to replace Deebo, and adding a spark like Turpin, who can also feature as a receiver and gadget guy on offense could add an entirely new dimension in 2025.
Turpin is also likely not to break the bank, as OverThe Cap has his current valuation at under $1 million per season.
WR Elijah Moore
The second option is a former high draft pick who will be looking for a new situation to prove his worth: former Jets and Cleveland Browns wideout Elijah Moore.
The Jets selected Moore in the second round (34th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Mississippi, and the rookie responded with a solid-if-unspectacular first season, pulling down 43 receptions (on 77 targets) for 538 yards and five touchdowns, while also running the ball five times for 54 more yards and another score.
New York traded Moore to the Browns in March of 2023, and the receiver caught 120 passes (on 206 targets) for 1,178 yards and three touchdowns, adding 10 carries for 12 yards (not ideal) on the ground.
Moore is still pretty young (he'll turn 25 in March), so he might be looking for an opportunity to be part of a more functional franchise after four seasons in New York and Cleveland, something the 49ers can offer.
The question will be whether he views himself as someone who deserves a bigger role, something the Niners may not be able to afford him given their current stable of receivers.
But again, if OTC's valuations are to be believed, Moore could be relatively affordable at just over $2.2 million average annual salary.
WR Mack Hollins
The first two options are younger players, but we know the 49ers like bringing in veterans into the wide receiver room, especially guys who seem to be good fits not only as mentors but as tone setters.
Enter Mack Hollins, who has played with the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills over his seven seasons in the NFL.
He's a quirky guy (just Google "Mack Hollins pregame" to see what I mean) who works hard and appears to relish the blocking game, not unlike a certain member of the Niners' receiving corps.
Hollins is a good receiver, although he's never been a star, and he'd be a nice addition to a group that features more small and shifty wideouts other than Jennings (who, for the record, is listed at 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, while Hollins stands at 6-foot-4, 221 pounds).
Yes, Hollins is on the older side (he'll turn 32 in mid September), but it isn't like the 49ers haven't brought in guys like that before. And he'd also add another edge to the Niners offense and has shown the ability to pull down big catches when called upon.
The numbers won't jump off the page (31 catches on 50 targets for 378 yards and five touchdowns), but he'd be a useful addition if Deebo leaves.
The valuation is also reasonable, somewhere in the neighborhood of Moore's, and he is likely not going to command a multi-year deal at this point in his career.
It ultimately remains to be seen if Samuel has played his final snap as a 49er. But if he has, there will be ways to add value to the 2025 squad even with Deebo playing somewhere else.