Professional Soccer Focus just lately highlighted the elusiveness of San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel.
Deebo Samuel didn’t take lengthy to make an affect for the San Francisco 49ers, rapidly changing into the offense’s most versatile weapon after being chosen within the second spherical of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Nonetheless, with simply 11 begins in his rookie yr resulting from damage, it doesn’t really feel like Samuel got here near his ceiling in 2019. 961 complete yards and 6 touchdowns within the common season is nothing to shake a stick at, however it’s a latest stat from Professional Soccer Focus that hints at an enormous 2020 for Samuel.
Deebo is in good firm with New York Giants WR Golden Tate and Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr., and it may very well be argued that Samuel’s season is extra spectacular than Tate or Beckham’s resulting from being a rookie in addition to taking part in much less video games.
Going into 2020, Samuel will likely be anticipated to step up, and understandably so. With the addition of WR Brandon Aiyuk by means of the 2020 NFL Draft, Deebo has a threatening presence reverse of him and tight finish George Kittle.
Taking advantage of a various group of weapons isn’t just quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s job, but in addition Samuel, who ought to discover much more alternatives to interrupt video games open in 2020.
A Receiving Menace
NBC Sports activities’ Matt Maiocco just lately talked to College of South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp, who talked his former receiver’s tendency to get out of form within the offseason. Nonetheless, Deebo is constructed for the sport of soccer and a playmaker it doesn’t matter what.
“After all, he exhibits up a bit of bit chubby and (49ers receivers coach) Wes Welker takes him out for some 6 a.m. runs to get him again in form. However I stated, ‘You’re going to get a man who’s a playmaker with the ball in his palms.’ He’s a receiver, however he’s acquired an enormous decrease physique. He runs by means of contact. He performs virtually like a operating again. They utilized him quite a bit in that method.”
Samuel ranked fifth amongst NFL receivers in complete yards after catch in 2019 with 473 of his receiving yards coming after he has the ball in his palms. Unsurprisingly, Deebo doesn’t lead the 49ers on this statistical class, as Kittle racked up 602 yards after the catch.
Whereas at Arizona State, Aiyuk made explosive performs as effectively, however is extra centered on getting open downfield for giant beneficial properties, reasonably than catching fast passes and doing extra as a ball-carrier.
On paper, it is a nice complement. Aiyuk will likely be anticipated to open area and stretch the sector, whereas Samuel can take advantage of the protection’s deal with Aiyuk and Kittle.
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A Speeding Weapon
Within the 18 complete video games Deebo performed in 2019, the 49ers handed the ball off to Samuel 20 occasions, which he took for 261 yards and three touchdowns. That’s an unbelievably profitable end result, however 2020 received’t be so simple as operating these performs extra usually.
With operating backs like Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon, there’s already questions on what number of touches every rusher will get in 2020.
Anticipate Samuel to get extra touches on the bottom, however it’s unlikely that Deebo will turn into a five-rushes-a-game sort of participant, until the 49ers have severe hassle getting him the ball within the air.
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Evan Reier is a sportswriter overlaying the San Francisco 49ers for Heavy.com and native sports activities for the Montana Normal in Butte, MT. Observe and attain out to him on Twitter at @evanreier.