The Jets have been linked with virtually every wide receiver that was, was, or could be on the trade block this offseason, and they’re “all in” at 49ers WR. Debbo Samuel, as reported by Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline. New York currently holds the #4 and #10 overall picks in this week’s draft and GM Joe Douglas is willing to use pick #10 as part of a package to acquire Samuel who has requested a trade.
As ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini writes, Douglas would obviously prefer to acquire Samuel without giving up any of his top 10 picks, although that seems like pipe dream. San Francisco is said to have “zero intention” to sell its dynamic offensive weapon, and Cimini writes that the Jets expect to “ask for the moon” if the Niners choose to make Samuel available. A few days ago, SNY.tv’s Ralph Vacchiano reported that the 49ers aren’t even listening to offers right now.
Suppose San Francisco does realtors John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan Don’t deviate from this position, the jets must cover their WR needs through draft. Which maybe isn’t bad. There are many talented wideouts in this year’s collegiate class, and such a player would be cost-controlled for at least three seasons. Samuel, meanwhile, wants a deal with an AAV of at least $25 million, and although the Jets were willing to spend that kind of money on it Tyreek Hillthere is still a hefty price to pay, especially when combined with the design capital required to acquire Samuel.
Coming off an NFC Championship game and with plans for another deep postseason run, the 49ers obviously want to make a presumptive QB Trey Lance as many weapons as possible. While the Jets’ No. 10 and (presumably) a handful of other draft options would help mitigate the loss of Samuel and keep a hefty cap off the books in the coming seasons, Lance’s rookie contract offers plenty of cap flexibility in the short term, and Samuel’s All-Pro presence would be difficult to replace.
Samuel is willing to put the 49ers’ offseason program on hold until he and the team agree on a long-term pact.