Wide receiver is one of the LA Chargers' biggest roster needs and this offseason looks like it will be one that is full of wide receiver movement. The Chargers could not have picked a better year to need another top receiver to play alongside Ladd McConkey.
Tee Higgins leads the way as the best free-agent wide receiver but there are several other notable names who the Chargers could pursue. Los Angeles has been tied to DK Metcalf via trade, is a potential suitor for Davante Adams, and now, may have another notable trade target.
On the eve of Super Bowl LIX, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the San Francisco 49ers will allow Deebo Samuel to seek a trade this offseason. Samuel's future in San Francisco has been rocky for several years and this may be the offseason in which he is finally moved.
Deebo Samuel added to the Chargers' list of superstar WR targets
The Chargers front office should now take a meeting about Samuel, who is one of the most prolific wideouts in the sport. Trading for Samuel is absolutely in the realm of possibility and the team must do its due diligence on the situation.
That being said, the Chargers would probably be better off pursuing other wide receivers this offseason. Samuel should really only serve as an emergency option as there are far less risky options for the Bolts to pursue.
The 29-year-old wideout doesn't carry a huge cap hit, although his deal with over $13 million being bonus money the 49ers would have to pay out. In fact, trading Samuel before June 1 would actually cost the 49ers an additional $15.6 million instead of saving the team money.
A post-June 1 trade would save over $5 million in cap space for the 49ers, which may prolong the process this offseason. That is just one of the reasons why the Chargers shouldn't prioritize Samuel. If the team puts all its eggs in the Samuel basket it is passing up on adding other star receivers sooner.
There is also a major injury risk with Samuel moving forward. While he is still on the right side of 30, lingering injuries have always been a storyline surrounding Samuel and that could follow him to his new team.
Plus, Samuel is not the traditional star wideout. Samuel has thrived in the Kyle Shanahan ecosystem where he can serve as a Swiss Army Knife in the run and pass game. As talented as Samuel is, this could be a situation where he is far more valuable in San Francisco's offense than he would be in any other offense.
In a different offseason with fewer wide receiver options, the Chargers would be forced to pursue Samuel aggressively. With several other stars potentially on the move, Samuel should be near the back of the line.