Insider lists these 3 teams as possible trade partners for Deebo Samuel

The 49ers may not look to trade Deebo Samuel anytime soon. But Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer thinks these three teams could eventually be interested.

For much of the offseason leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, rumors circulated around whether or not the San Francisco 49ers would trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk amid his ongoing search for a new contract.

During the opening phase of the draft, however, those rumors shifted to fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

It is a bit of a luxury for the Niners to have both players rostered, especially knowing there are challenging salary cap situations ahead, namely with both Aiyuk's extension pending and another lucrative deal awaiting star quarterback Brock Purdy in a year's time.

Yet San Francisco dealt neither Aiyuk nor Samuel during the draft. However, general manager John Lynch did use his team's first-round pick on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, suggesting that keeping both Aiyuk and Samuel for the long run wasn't likely.

Signs now appear to point to Samuel being the likelier of the two veteran wideouts to be traded, even if it's a problem the 49ers will wait a year to address.

If that comes to fruition, where would Samuel go?

Albert Breer speculates these 3 teams could seek trade with 49ers for Deebo Samuel

From his mailbag column, (h/t 49ers Webzone), Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer broke down a list of teams that would potentially be interested in striking a deal with the Niners for Samuel.

"San Francisco won't trade him to the Los Angeles Rams, and I can't imagine they'd send him to the Green Bay Packers, either," Breer described. "The Atlanta Falcons, with OC Zac Robinson, might make some sense. The New York Jets could, too, as a piece for the receiver group, and for some depth behind Breece Hall at tailback. And a reunion with Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins could be fun."

As is the case with McDaniel and the Dolphins, Samuel could experience some continuity with Jets head coach Robert Saleh, San Francisco's defensive coordinator during Samuel's first two years at the pro level.

Even if it's on the other side of the ball from Saleh's expertise, those relationships count.

Breer also pointed out that Samuel's high levels of use, both as a wide receiver and running back, mean he "has a lot of mileage on his legs." Paired with another dual-threat weapon in running back Christian McCaffrey, retaining Samuel beyond this season is a luxury the 49ers aren't likely to afford.

With the Niners' Super Bowl window very much open, though, it doesn't appear as if it's a transaction Lynch and Co. are likely to entertain this season.

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