Deebo Samuel's breakout 2021 campaign looks more like an outlier relative to his career baseline, all things considered. Many have been quick to write off the veteran wide receiver, and he hasn't necessarily done himself any favors.
Injuries and weight concerns have exacerbated what's been a steep fall from grace for Samuel. The lack of commitment to his fitness doesn't exactly exude confidence in a bounce-back, to put it mildly.
However, Samuel is now back where his NFL journey began, with the club that helped him ascend to stardom: the San Francisco 49ers. He returns to the Bay Area after an underwhelming one-off campaign with the Washington Commanders and is highly motivated to prove the doubters wrong.
Could we see Samuel turn back the clock and be the dynamic dual-threat playmaker 49ers fans came to know and love? He turns age 31 in January and is coming off another disappointing season. Most people would bet against him at this point, but Jake Hutchinson of The Hutch Report envisions a "resurgence."
Hutchinson boldly predicts that Samuel, "if healthy, goes north of 1,100 all-purpose yards for the first (and last) time since 2023." The one-time All-Pro hasn't reached that mark since 2023 and has only done so twice in seven years (and counting).
As crazy as that lofty projection might sound, we're here to tell you it's well within the range of outcomes.
Deebo Samuel forecast may not be as crazy as it sounds
Whether Samuel can be the dynamic dual-threat playmaker he once was with the 49ers again remains to be seen. The raw numbers from a brief stint with the Commanders characterize him as a serviceable, albeit diminishing asset. A closer look beneath the hood shows that the 2019 second-round pick is closer to his prime than washed-up, though, giving Hutchinson's forecast serious legs.
A full 80 WRs recorded at least 50 targets in 2025, including the playoffs, and Samuel was among the bunch. He ranked highly in the following key metrics, courtesy of Pro Football Focus ($):
- Sixth in missed tackles forced (18)
- Seventh in yards after catch per reception (6.5)
- Eighth in yards after catch (471)
- Tied for 11th in reception percentage (72.7)
49ers desperately need Deebo Samuel to regain form
There is no shortage of self-belief in Samuel. The 2019 second-round pick recently stated that he has "at least like three [or] four good years left." His confidence can serve him and the Niners' receiving corps, which has been ravaged by injuries this offseason, particularly well.
Newcomer Christian Kirk went down with a calf strain on Day 1 of training camp and has been out since. Ricky Pearsall was shut down for 2026 after having surgery on the same PCL that plagued him in 2025. Prized free-agent addition Mike Evans has missed valuable practice time dealing with a quad issue.
Oh, and not to mention star tight end George Kittle is recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered in January. While a Week 1 return seems plausible, if not likely, that doesn't mean we'll see him dominate from the jump. In the meantime, someone will have to compensate for his ability to do damage with the ball in his hands, and Samuel fits the bill.
Samuel has the talent and opportunity to get back on track. His familiarity with head coach Kyle Shanahan's scheme should only help him hit the ground running, too.
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