49ers Trade Deebo Samuel to Commanders: Analyzing the Deal’s Impact
The NFL offseason is officially heating up with the first major trade of 2025. The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to send star wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. While the trade cannot be finalized until the new league year begins on March 12, this move has significant implications for both franchises.
The Trade Details
- Washington receives: Deebo Samuel, WR
- San Francisco receives: 2025 5th-round draft pick
The Commanders are taking on Samuel’s contract, which was entering its final year. Samuel had previously requested a trade from the 49ers earlier this offseason, leading to this relatively quick resolution.
What This Means for Washington
For the Commanders, this trade represents a bold move to capitalize on their surprising run to the NFC Championship Game last season. With Jayden Daniels entering his second year on a cost-controlled rookie contract, Washington has a window to surround their young quarterback with premium talent.
Washington currently holds the third-most cap space in the NFL, giving them the financial flexibility to absorb Samuel’s contract. The addition of Samuel to Kliff Kingsbury’s offense could provide a dynamic playmaking element that complements their existing personnel.
The price tag of only a fifth-round pick makes this an even more appealing acquisition. If the Commanders also target a vertical threat in the upcoming draft (with prospects like Matthew Golden potentially available), they could dramatically transform their passing attack for the 2025 season.
What This Means for San Francisco
For the 49ers, this trade comes with some financial complications. By making the deal before June 1, San Francisco will incur $31 million in dead cap and take a $15 million cap hit, according to Over the Cap. However, waiting would have been problematic as Samuel was due a $15.4 million roster bonus on March 22.
The return of just a fifth-round pick might seem underwhelming to 49ers fans, but several factors limited San Francisco’s leverage:
- Samuel’s public trade request
- His entering the final year of his contract
- Coming off a down season in 2024 (partially due to a bout with pneumonia)
- The substantial remaining financial obligations
The 49ers now face the challenge of rebuilding their wide receiver corps. Brandon Aiyuk is returning from a knee injury, Jauan Jennings is entering the final year of his contract, and Ricky Pearsall will be looking to build on his promising rookie campaign.
The Verdict
While trade grades are subjective, this deal appears to favor the Commanders slightly. Washington gets an established playmaker at a reasonable draft capital cost while in their competitive window. San Francisco, while not getting premium draft capital in return, does free up some financial flexibility and adds a draft pick they can use to help restock their roster.
The true evaluation of this trade will ultimately depend on Samuel’s production in Washington and how effectively the 49ers use their newfound flexibility to reshape their receiver room for 2025 and beyond.
