The Deebo Samuel trade netted the 49ers a prospect they hope can turn into a key contributor for the foreseeable future.
The San Francisco 49ers engineered a blockbuster move earlier this offseason by trading away All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders after heeding to his previous trade request.
In doing so, the Niners not only received a mere fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in return but also absorbed more than $31 million in dead cap hit.
Although, in the interest of saving money, they don't owe Samuel another dime. That's been the theme for San Francisco nearly all offseason.
The fifth-round pick, No. 147 overall, originally stemmed from the New Orleans Saints and was part of last season's deal that sent defensive back Marshon Lattimore to the nation's capital.
And the 49ers hope their use of it turns into what's been many a quality fifth-round player during the reign of general manager John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan.
49ers' Round 5 selection of PLAYER closes door on Deebo Samuel trade
At No. 147 overall, the Niners selected running back Jordan James out of the University of Oregon, a player they spent plenty of time with in the predraft process.
Apparently, the sign-off stemmed from San Francisco's all-time leading rusher, Frank Gore, according to CEO Jed York:
If a future HoF RB likes you, seems good enough for me
— Jed York (@JedYork) April 26, 2025
James, 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, rushed for 1,267 yards last season and also led the NCAA with an average of 7.1 yards per attempt in 2023. Plus, with 42 receptions and 347 receiving yards over his collegiate career, it's understandably why the 49ers liked him as a dual-threat weapon.
Not hyper fast, James nevertheless has excellent one-cut ability, and his change of direction should mesh well in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
There's some power, too.
In grabbing James, the Niners officially close the door on the Samuel era but hope they landed another multifaceted weapon who can impact the offense in a way Samuel did from 2019 through 2024.