The New England Patriots missed out on trading for Brandon Aiyuk and couldn’t sign Calvin Ridley in the 2024 NFL free agency, but they still have a shot at acquiring an All-Pro wide receiver by making an in-season trade for Deebo Samuel, Aiyuk’s teammate from the San Francisco 49ers.
Samuel, who has two years remaining on his $71.55 million contract, is expected to draw trade interest following Aiyuk’s new deal. Michael Silver of The San Francisco Chronicle suggests that while the 49ers are unlikely to trade Samuel now, the situation could change by early November depending on various factors.
One of the key factors is financial, as the 49ers must manage their cap space after giving Aiyuk a four-year, $120 million extension. Former agent Joel Corry, writing for CBS Sports, notes that trading Samuel in 2025 could save the team over $9 million in salary cap space, which might make it easier for the 49ers to balance their finances without both Aiyuk and Samuel on the roster.
If Samuel becomes available, The Draft Network’s Justin Melo believes the Patriots should make a move, especially since rookie Drake Maye might take over as the starting quarterback by November. Samuel’s ability to relieve pressure on quarterbacks by making plays as a runner and underneath the coverage could be invaluable for a young passer like Maye.
Melo also points out that the trade wouldn’t be too costly, as the Patriots wouldn’t need to part with a first-round pick, which the 49ers likely wouldn’t get in an in-season trade anyway.
While it may seem far-fetched with Aiyuk staying in San Francisco, there are solid reasons why Samuel could be trade bait, and why the Patriots should pursue him.
Deebo Samuel would be an ideal fit for the Patriots because he has a track record of helping unproven quarterbacks succeed. He was instrumental in former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s Super Bowl run in 2019 and has been a key weapon for Brock Purdy, who led the 49ers to another Super Bowl after being the last player picked in the 2022 draft. Samuel could provide the same dual-threat capability for Maye, offering explosive playmaking both as a receiver and a runner.
Samuel excels at turning short throws into big gains with his exceptional yards-after-catch ability, as seen in his 50-yard touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles last season. He has consistently amassed at least 398 yards after the catch every season, averaging over eight yards after catch per reception throughout his five-year career, according to Pro Football Reference.
In addition to his receiving skills, Samuel’s impact in the running game is undeniable, as demonstrated by his game-changing touchdown run against the Dallas Cowboys in the 2021 playoffs. His speed and power would complement Rhamondre Stevenson’s physical running style in New England’s ground attack.
Samuel would fulfill the role the Patriots envisioned for his former teammate Kendrick Bourne, who has fallen short of expectations since joining the team in 2021. Despite their efforts, the Patriots have yet to secure an elite wide receiver.
The Patriots have faced multiple setbacks in their quest for a top-tier pass-catcher this offseason. As MassLive.com’s Chris Mason noted, the failures in free agency (Calvin Ridley) and on the trade market (Brandon Aiyuk) need to be recognized. While the players may not have wanted to join the Patriots, the bottom line is that neither will be boosting New England’s offense this season.
With limited established talent in the receiving corps, the Patriots must rely on unproven players like sophomore slot receiver DeMario Douglas and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk to step up quickly. The lack of reliable options also puts pressure on a fragile third-year pro to exceed expectations, making Maye’s future task as the starting quarterback even more challenging.
Samuel is the type of quarterback-friendly target the Patriots need while they wait for Maye to turn around the franchise’s recent struggles at the quarterback position.