The San Francisco 49ers paid off a couple years of lingering rumors by trading Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders as the calendar flipped to March. It may be addition by subtraction to a large extent, based on multiple factors.
Of course, Samuel was a prominent part of the Niners' offense, if only by touch/opportunity volume more than efficient production the last few seasons, so his departure leaves behind a sizeable void to be filled.
The 49ers also seem confident they can fill that void with who they have in place. Time will tell if they're right.
Ricky Pearsall was a surprise first-round pick by San Francisco in 2024. Then he missed the first six games of his rookie season after being shot during a robbery attempt. He scored his first career touchdown in his third game, and he played 50 percent or more of the offensive snaps in 10 of his 11 games last season.
Deebo Samuel trade opens door for Ricky Pearsall to be 49ers' breakout star
Over the final two games last season, Pearsall had 14 receptions (on 18 targets) for 210 yards with a touchdown in each contest. Yes, they were "meaningless" games for San Francisco, but they were very meaningful in terms of possibly providing a full foreshadow that Samuel would be gone this offseason.
Pearsall finished his rookie season with an even 400 yards and three touchdowns on 31 catches, along with three rush attempts for 45 yards. Before Samuel was officially gone, but reading the tea leaves he would be gone, ESPN's Lindsey Thiry named Pearsall as her breakout candidate for 2025:
"The 49ers drafted Pearsall with the intention that he would play a larger role in his second season, but after recovering from a gunshot wound, he was needed earlier than anticipated following a series of injuries to teammates. After a full offseason with quarterback Brock Purdy, along with the likely departure of Deebo Samuel Sr... Pearsall will prove why the 49ers took him in the first round."
Pearsall had 33 of his 46 targets last season in just five games (his first three, then the last two). Samuel's departure opens the door for a more consistent role in the 49ers' offense next season, as he and Brock Purdy plan to put in extra work together this offseason.
We'll never know how Pearsall's rookie season would've turned out without the gunshot recovery. But if the opportunity for a breakout in Year 2 was knocking before Samuel was traded, the door has been swung all the way open now.
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