Deebo Samuel — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

In 2022, Samuel missed four games with knee and ankle issues. The 49ers continued to give him chances in the run game (42/232/3), but he lost his big-play ability in the passing game (11.3 yards per catch – only one catch gained 40 yards or more). His receiving production (56/632/2) prorated over 17 weeks came to 73 catches for 826 yards and three scores. Samuel gained over 100 yards in two contests (6/115/1 and 6/133/1).

Over the first eight weeks in 2023, Samuel posted two zero-catch games while sitting out two contests with a shoulder issue. He played well in Week 2 (101 combined yards with a touchdown and five catches) and Week 3 (6/131/1) with a midseason mini-scoring run (eight touchdowns) over four games (22/392/5 with nine rushes for 49 yards and three scores). Samuel ranked 15th in fantasy points (243.80) for wide receivers.

The luster of Samuel left the building in 2024. He missed Week 3 with a calf issue, followed by a minor wrist issue and an illness. His year ended after Week 17 with a rib injury. Samuel gained over 100 yards in two games (8/110 and 3/102/1) over the first six weeks, with his only other highlight showing coming in Week 16 (7/96/1).

From Week 8 to Week 15, the 49ers only looked his way 39 times, leading to 23 catches for 234 yards with 15 rushes for 44 yards. His lack of scoring, paired with his fade in fantasy points (50.80 – 7.3 per game in PPR formats), deemed him worthless to fantasy teams. Samuel also had empty stats in two other matchups (1/20 and 0/0 – left Week 7 after three plays). For the year, he gained 806 combined yards with four touchdowns and 51 catches, ranking him 44th at wide receiver.

With Washington last year, and the Commanders playing many games with their star quarterback, Samuel gained 802 combined yards with 72 catches for 727 yards and six touchdowns on 99 targets and 17 carries. He played well in four games (7/96/1, 7/44/1, 6/72/1, and 8/96/1) across his first five starts, but Samuel again lost his fantasy momentum over his final 11 matchups (42/456/2 on 61 targets – 9.05 PPR fantasy points per game). His playable fantasy ticket only came in one other matchup (7/74/1). A heel injury cost him a game in October.

I set his bar at 53 catches for 685 combined yards with six touchdowns after he added to the 49ers’ offense. My initial projections for him align with his new price point (WR57). The 49ers have the talent to be a high-scoring team, but when their best players are healthy, Samuel will only be their fourth option in the passing game behind Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, and George Kittle.