The NFL Draft is all about finding gems. Or, steals as so many of you like to call it. The first round is where the bigger names hear their names. The second round and later in the draft is where you find those players who may not have the biggest national following, but they come in and have an immediate impact on their team. Tyshun “Deebo” Samuel is one of those players I just described. He was fun to watch at South Carolina. Each week, he was making plays left and right for the South Carolina Gamecocks. The 49ers selected Deebo in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The big discussion was whether would he get paid or would he take his services elsewhere to another team. The 49ers made sure they took care of their star receiver and have given him a contract extension. A three-year, $73.5 million deal with $58.1 million of that guaranteed.
Deebo is one of the most uniquely gifted players in the league today. The defense will never know how he will impact the football game because he can do it in more than one way. Wherever you place him, he’s leaving his mark on the game in some capacity. If you look up the definition of hybrid in the dictionary, you’ll find Deebo’s picture. Let’s focus on the running skills. The 49ers love to use him in the backfield as a running back because it creates mismatches and forces linebackers to try and cover him. As a runner out the backfield, Deebo has the running skills of a top-notch running back with the ball in his hands whether he’s taking a handoff or he’s catching the ball in the open field and he’s breaking away. Next, let’s discuss the receiver aspect. Deebo puts fear into a secondary because he can do what most defenses hate the most and that’s beat you deep down the field. The speed he possesses on the perimeter is amazing and if you give him a slither of daylight, he’s gone! In the open field, he can turn on the jets and accelerate up the field. As a route runner, he can position himself in space to make the play on the football. Even when the football appears to be underthrown, Deebo will climb up to go and get the ball or he’ll come back inside so the cornerback can’t make a play. When it comes to the catch point, Deebo is one of the best in the entire league. The instincts and the ability to adjust to those non-perfect passes are what stand out the most.
He reminds me so much of Anquan Boldin. I believe he’s a lot quicker than Anquan ever was. One thing coaches look for from these receivers the most is what can you do without the football in your hands? Are you running those routes consistently? But most importantly, can you block? Deebo doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty when it comes to run blocking. I’ve referred to him as the “joker” of the defense because of how he’s used in many different ways. He’s so key to what the 49ers do offensively. I’m glad he’s back.
