Deebo Samuel’s Arrival in Washington: A Game-Changer or a Gamble?
ASHBURN, Va. — The buzz around the Washington Commanders’ latest acquisition is palpable. The film doesn’t lie: Deebo Samuel still has plenty of gas left in the tank. His ability to transform short catches into long gains, his physical style of play, and his knack for creating opportunities for teammates make him a valuable asset. But perhaps the most exciting aspect of his game is the element he brings to Washington’s offense, something they’ve been missing for quite some time.
One NFC coach couldn’t help but praise Samuel, calling him “so damn tough” and a “total baller” on offense. However, there’s a significant caveat that comes with this praise: “Can he be healthy and available?” the coach pondered. This question looms large as Samuel prepares to don the Commanders’ jersey after being traded from the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.
While Samuel hasn’t missed an excessive number of games—just nine over the past four years—it’s the cumulative toll of his physical style that raises concerns as he approaches his 30s. This concern is likely why Washington only had to part with a fifth-round pick to acquire the former All-Pro from the 49ers.
Washington has a history of betting on veteran stars, and it has often paid off. Last offseason, the franchise signed linebacker Bobby Wagner, tight end Zach Ertz, and running back Austin Ekeler. Wagner and Ertz started every game, and all three were productive, with Wagner earning second-team All-Pro honors. Ekeler also posted strong numbers, despite missing five games.
At 29, Samuel is eight months younger than Ekeler and brings an intriguing skill set that could be maximized under Washington’s offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury. Last season, Kingsbury and quarterback Jayden Daniels led the NFL’s fifth-highest-scoring offense.
Kingsbury has a knack for getting the best out of his players. He helped receivers like Olamide Zaccheaus and Dyami Brown achieve career-high receptions. With Samuel, Washington now has a versatile chess piece for Kingsbury to deploy. Samuel can line up anywhere on the field, whether as a receiver or in the backfield, where he’s capable of running the ball or running routes. Pairing him with Ekeler in the backfield gives defenses two pass-catching threats who can also run.
“It’s just his ability to just find things that people are really good at,” Ertz said of Kingsbury late in the 2024 season. “He uses guys to their strengths, which seems very simple and would be common sense, but it’s just not the case.”
Daniels, the quarterback, also plays a crucial role in this equation. He was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year and led the Commanders to their first NFL title game since the 1991 season. An NFC coach described Samuel as a “super version” of Zaccheaus, suggesting that being with Daniels could elevate Samuel’s game even further.
Samuel’s addition also complements star wide receiver Terry McLaurin‘s game. McLaurin is a major downfield threat, tied for seventh with seven catches on throws that traveled 25 yards or more last season. Since 2019, McLaurin has 41 career receptions of that length or more, ranking third in the NFL, just five behind leader Tyreek Hill. In contrast, Samuel has nine such plays but excels after the catch, averaging 9.0 yards in his career. This makes him a physical underneath threat who can be explosive for Washington’s offense, especially when defenses focus on McLaurin.
However, Samuel doesn’t solve all of Washington’s receiver issues. As of now, the Commanders don’t have a deep unit, with Zaccheaus, both Browns, and Jamison Crowder—four of their top six last year—being free agents. They could use another deep threat.
Daniels’ second season will be about building on his first, and adding talent around him will benefit both the quarterback and the entire offense. Samuel is coming off an interesting year: In his first eight games, he recorded two 100-yard games and finished six games with at least 54 yards. In his final seven, he had six games with 22 yards or less, impacted by calf, wrist, oblique, and rib injuries.
This final stretch is why questions will follow Samuel into the season. This is the second time general manager Adam Peters has traded for a veteran with injury concerns. He previously sent two draft picks to New Orleans for corner Marshon Lattimore. The success of that move remains to be seen.
But if Samuel stays healthy, Washington will have significantly boosted an offense that performed admirably with less talent.
Originally Written by: John Keim
