NFL: Deebo Samuel re-signs with San Francisco 49ers

One of the NFL’s best playmakers has finally resolved his contract dispute, as Deebo Samuel will be returning to San Francisco on a three-year deal worth $73.5 million. Deebo has been the subject of a roller-coaster offseason featuring a lot of trade rumors, threats of a hold-out and, of course, scrubbing the Niners off of his social media. He will likely return to a big role in the San Francisco offense and should be a key piece for the development of the Niners’ new starting quarterback, Trey Lance.

Deebo is now the seventh wide receiver to sign a deal worth at least $24 million per year this offseason. Coming into this year, there was only one receiver with a deal worth that much. However, it’s clear that NFL teams are valuing receivers more, and Deebo is one of the best of them. He was always going to get paid; it was just unclear which team he would get paid by.

Deebo had one of the best offensive seasons in recent memory when he led the Niners to the NFC Championship Game last season. Deebo had 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six receiving touchdowns during last year’s regular season. He also had 365 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He coined the term ‘wide back’ due to his role in the offense as both a wide receiver and a running back.

READ: NFL running back season props & over/under total yards odds

Prior to last year, Deebo had struggled with injuries, and that was likely a snag in contract negotiations. However, he proved last year he was extremely talented when healthy and he has the potential to be the best wide receiver in the NFL. Considering the Niners will be starting Trey Lance for the whole season, Deebo was a necessary piece to make the QB transition substantially easier.

Lance will walk into a talented team, but there are questions about the second-year quarterback. He was selected third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft and didn’t play a lot last year. Lance is a very athletic QB but may struggle throwing the ball. He could be in for some trouble this season as he adjusts to the NFL, and because of that, the Niners should be avoided when it comes to all of their team futures.

That being said, Samuel could be worth a play in some of the season-long prop markets on offer with the top betting sites. Due to his rushing acumen, his receiving touchdown over/under is only 6.5 touchdowns, and we love that over. Deebo has a nose for the endzone and as long as Lance is somewhat competent, Samuel should be the primary red-zone target for the Niners, just as he was last year. Also, Deebo’s receiving yards line is only set at 950.5, and that’s another good value bet. Deebo led the league in yards per catch last season, so if San Francisco can get the ball in his hands, he will be a chance to take it all the way. Considering he had 1,400 receiving yards last year, the over on 950.5 is a steal.

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