Deebo Samuel Is Reportedly Next In Line For a Wild-Ass Trade, So Here Are 3 Ideal Landing Spots For The 49ers Star

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San Francisco 49ers fans are about to be in a dark place. They lost their running game guru Mike McDaniels to the Dolphins, and he was the one who helped mastermind Deebo Samuel's emergence as a one-of-one offensive playmaker in the Bay Area last season.

Deebo ran for 365 yards and eight scores on top of ranking fifth in the NFL with 1,405 receiving yards on 77 receptions. We've never really seen anything like it. But with a contract year approaching for the former second-round pick out of South Carolina, it seems like the 49ers weren't willing to pay up soon enough.

We've got Adam Schefter reporting that Deebo no longer seems willing to negotiate with the Niners, at least for now. It's becoming a trend for players in Deebo's situation to hold out:

As is implicated in the tweet above, this is all Christian Kirk's fault. Blame him if Deebo gets away from Kyle Shanahan. Kirk had absolutely zero business getting signed by the Jags in free agency to a four-year, $72 MILLION deal. It's completely fucked up the wide receiver market. Plus, Davante Adams just signed a blockbuster extension with the Raiders after his trade from Green Bay for an AAV of $28.25 million. 

So yeah, the NFL Draft is a little over a week away, in the city where Adams now plays. It could be the watershed moment where yet another big-name wideout gets moved. And in case you're feeling like Schefter is speculating a bit too much, how about we check in with Deebo's brother on social media!!

Let's quickly run through three landing spots that make the most sense for Deebo, because at this point, it seems inevitable that he'll be playing elsewhere.

New England Patriots

It's already a crowded wide receiver room in Foxborough, yet I don't think anyone's particularly high on anyone in particular from the group featuring DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor. Given how much of a weak point that position has been for Bill Belichick in the draft, and how relatively uninspiring the Pats' offseason has been after last year's free agency spending spree, it'd be a savvy move for New England to acquire Deebo. If Mac Jones turns out to be THAT DUDE, he still won't be paid for another couple years. The Patriots are allergic to shelling out huge money for anyone. In Deebo's case, it's worth it, especially for how epic of a Redemption Arc it'd be for The Hoodie.

New York Jets

Another AFC East team, real original! Yeah but…there have been whispers coming out of the organization all offseason long that the Jets are eager to find a premier receiver. They were thisclose to acquiring Tyreek Hill before he spurned them in favor of the rival Dolphins. Gang Green needs to do all they can to maximize second-year QB Zach Wilson's chances for success. Head coach Robert Saleh was on the 49ers staff before taking the Jets' head gig. GM Joe Douglas has the Nos. 4 and 10 overall picks in the upcoming draft. Packaging one of those with more future picks and a proven player seems like a sweet offer for Samuel. Then, the Jets can go BPA in the draft with their remaining 2022 first-rounder.

Detroit Lions

With four first-round picks over the next two drafts, a dire need at wide receiver and a desperation for star power, you could easily see a scenario in which the Lions pull the trigger even as they're rebuilding. They'd have to trade the 32nd and 34th overall picks in 2022, along with at least another relatively high pick or player. I can't imagine San Francisco would be comfortable trading Deebo within the NFC, but sending him to Detroit means probably not seeing him in the playoffs for at least a year. The Lions' rebuild could take a big step forward with a playmaker like Deebo and the right QB in place. Samuel's hard-nosed style of play is a great fit with Detroit head coach Dan Campbell. Obviously Deebo wouldn't be thrilled to go here if things broke this way, but at the same time, if he can help turn around a moribund franchise, that'd be a hell of a second act to his career.

Honorable mentions:

• Philadelphia Eagles — They have two first-round picks this year, but they're in the NFC and could go for a wide receiver at 15th overall instead. Then again, the opportunity to acquire a player of Deebo's particular skill set and proven production doesn't come around every day. Philly could sacrifice both its 2022 Day 1 selections, plus whatever else, and likely still have enough flexibility for next year's draft to get a new QB if Jalen Hurts doesn't pan out.
• Indianapolis Colts — Have a big need and the fourth-most cap space in the league. However, they have little draft capital to offer in a trade package, and aren't exactly settled under center with an aging Matt Ryan. Indianapolis may be better off hanging onto assets so it can find a longer-term signal-caller in 2023.
• Chicago Bears — Two second-rounders this year, two third-rounders in 2023 to play with. Justin Fields needs a WR1 after Allen Robinson's departure. Similar in some ways to the Jets as a destination, a talented young QB and a large market could be big selling points to get Samuel to the Windy City. Again, the 49ers may do all they can to deal Deebo to the AFC.

And no, I don't believe San Francisco will send Deebo to a receiver-needy contender like the Packers or Chiefs. I know they both have two first-rounders in the draft, but come on now.

Paying Deebo Davante-like money is definitely a dilemma. But with the way the NFL has been trending for years now, having someone like Samuel to give defensive coordinators nightmares can only get you closer to a Super Bowl. A savvy GM would figure out how to avoid sacrificing roster quality and depth while also accommodating the massive payday Deebo is due. The salary cap will only continue to rise in the coming years. I say, pay the man now and figure out the rest later.