The NFL world was shaken when San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel recently requested a trade.
Breaking News: I just spoke to wide receiver Deebo Samuel — and he told me that he has asked the 49ers to trade him.
He did not want to discuss specific reasons behind his request, but he has indeed let the 49ers know his desire to leave the organization. More to come.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) April 20, 2022
Samuel thrived in 2021 under Coach Kyle Shanahan and was a big reason for the team’s success.
This means every team should have Samuel on their radar, but at the top of the list must be the Green Bay Packers.
Here are the reasons why the Packers should be working tirelessly to trade for Samuel.
1. Packers Have Draft Picks
For the 49ers to give up a quality player like Samuel in his prime, they will certainly want a bevy of draft picks.
It just so happens that the Packers have a bunch of them partly because of the Davante Adams trade to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Packers have 11 picks, and 5 are in the first 3 rounds with 2 in the first round, 2 in the second round, and 1 in the third round.
Those are pick numbers 22, 28, 53, 59, and 92.
This immense draft capital could pique the 49ers’ interest.
The Packers have a lot of draft picks and a lot of draft capital. It’s an ideal place to be for GM Brian Gutekunst entering the 2022 draft. https://t.co/JMw87Zqoyt
— The Packers Wire (@ThePackersWire) April 22, 2022
2. They Have Money
Money was not the issue for Davante Adams leaving the Packers.
The team was prepared to offer him a huge contract, reportedly a bigger dollar deal than the Raiders did.
Final thought (for now) on the Davante Adams trade: His agents Frank Bauer and Kenny Chapman confirm that the #Packers offered more money than the contract he’ll sign in Las Vegas.
Simply, it was his lifelong dream to be with the #Raiders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022
Adams had a desire to play closer to home as he grew up and went to college in California.
This means that the Packers have money to pay Samuel.
3. Rodgers To Samuel Plays Would Be Fun To Watch
Samuel is an exciting player.
Hooking him up with a Matt LeFleur team who has Aaron Rodgers at quarterback means there could be so much creativity in how he is used in the Packers offense.
How would you like to come to Green Bay and play with Aaron Rodgers? @19problemz pic.twitter.com/3pyZNFXOXv
— Caeden Brandt (@CaedenBrandt) April 20, 2022
The Packers are trying to rebuild after Adams’ departure and though Sammy Watkins is on board, Samuel has the best chance of making up the lost productivity from Adams’ absence.
There Are A Few Problems
One of the biggest problems with the Packers landing Samuel is that it is difficult to believe the 49ers would be willing to trade Samuel to an NFC team.
After all, the 49ers and Packers played for the NFC Championship just a few months ago.
Both are premiere NFC teams that should be considered big playoff threats in 2022 so one trading the other its biggest star seems unlikely.
The other thing is that the Packers are not the only team that is stocked with money and draft picks to get Samuel.
Another likely team is the New York Jets, and Samuel has past history with Jets head coach Robert Saleh from his time in San Francisco as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator.
The top three most likely teams Deebo Samuel suits up for week 1 in my opinion;
1. San Francisco 49ers
2. New York Jets
3. Green Bay Packers https://t.co/WDZMo0LgNb— Shaun Chornobroff (@SChornobroff) April 20, 2022
The Jets are in the AFC which would make the trade a little more palpable for the 49ers also.
It also still is not out of the realm of possibilities that the 49ers will not trade Samuel despite his request.
I am just as confident that Deebo Samuel will be traded as I was a year ago when Aaron Rodgers “demanded” a trade and ended up signing an extension for a million more years.
It’s goofy season. NFL is going full wrestling.
— BLANK (@Devin_Blankship) April 20, 2022
No one knows if he would be willing to sit out the 2022 season if that happened.
This story is still new and evolving so anything is possible.
