Now we have our first main transfer of the 2025 NFL offseason.
Whereas the deal can’t turn into official till the league yr begins on March 12, the San Francisco 49ers have traded standout large receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders in change for a fifth-round choose within the upcoming NFL Draft. Samuel, who was getting into the ultimate yr of his contract, requested a commerce from the 49ers earlier this offseason, and now the group has granted his want.
Is that this a kind of trades the place either side can declare a victory, or does this deal have a transparent winner?
Washington Commanders: A-
Sure, Samuel didn’t produce at his ordinary degree final season — a stint within the hospital for pneumonia might need performed a job there — and the cash is huge.
However that is precisely the time for Washington to take an enormous swing on a participant who may be a perfect slot in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. With the Commanders coming off a dream run to the NFC Championship Recreation, and Washington holding the third-most cap house within the NFL, they’ll take photographs on a transfer like this and maximize Jayden Daniels’ rookie contract window. Add a vertical risk within the draft (that is one other strong crop of receivers and Matthew Golden has been a favourite goal for Washington in mock drafts) and abruptly this passing sport has numerous added juice.
Plus, giving up only a fifth-round choose will not be an enormous value to pay, even with the contract.
San Francisco 49ers: B-
It is a bit more durable to grade from the 49ers’ perspective.
The return will not be nice, and the cash is fascinating. Making this deal earlier than June 1 implies that San Francisco goes to incur $31 million in lifeless cap, and take a cap hit of $15 million, in line with Over the Cap. Had San Francisco waited on this deal, these numbers would have dropped to $10 million in lifeless cap, and a cap financial savings of $5 million.
However with Samuel due a $15.4 million roster bonus on March 22, San Francisco had some causes to make a transfer earlier than then.
With Samuel publicly requesting a commerce, getting into the ultimate yr of his contract, and coming off a down season the return was by no means going to be large for San Francisco. Nonetheless, Washington is taking over the rest of his contract and paying his 2025 wage, so the 49ers get some reduction in that means.
Moreover, the 49ers do get a fifth-round choose in return, one thing they’ll add to their draft capital for this yr and use to assist construct their roster for 2025 and past. San Francisco could look to try to add to their large receiver room, on condition that Brandon Aiyuk is getting back from a knee harm, Jauan Jennings is getting into the ultimate yr of his present deal, and Ricky Pearsall is hoping to construct off some early promise he confirmed as a rookie.
49ers followers might need been hoping for extra, however the return might be according to what the group may have requested for, given the larger context.
