How a Deebo Samuel trade could affect Commanders’ draft plans

The 2022 NFL Draft is a week away and nobody knows what the Washington Commanders are planning to do with the No. 11 overall pick.

Will they keep it simple and draft a wide receiver? Could they go off the beaten path and select Kyle Hamilton if he slips out of the top 10? Could one of the top cornerbacks like Derek Stingley or Trent McDuffie be in play?

What about trading back? Would the Commanders consider moving down with a desperate team in the name of acquiring additional picks? That seems unlikely at this stage, but we all know anything can happen on draft night.

These all feel like pertinent questions, so let’s pose another. What happens if Deebo Samuel gets traded? What domino effect would this have on Washington? If it shakes up the first round, could the Commanders potentially change course?

Let’s get into it.

How a Deebo Samuel trade could affect the Commanders’ draft plans.

If you thought that report was telling, consider this: During an appearance on NFL Live on Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Shcefter basically broke the news that if it was up to the 49ers, they would meet Samuel’s contract demands without blinking.

"“San Francisco would pay Deebo Samuel today, tomorrow, the next day. … This, I think, is Deebo not wanting to get a deal done The 49ers are ready. Deebo Samuel is the one who has put a halt to everything for right now.”"

Schefter also noted that Sameul removed all tracings of the 49ers from his social media accounts and it had previously been reported that the All-Pro receiver won’t participate in the team’s offseason workout program without a new deal.

In other words, if San Francisco is given an offer it can’t refuse leading up to the draft (or on draft night), they might have to pull the trigger. At the very least, this has the makings to be a very messy divorce between Samuel and the 49ers.

Of the teams slated to pick ahead of the Commnaders — the Jaguars, Lions, Texans, Jets (twice), Giants (twice), Panthers, Falcons and Seahawks — the Jets feel like the only team that would be in the mix for a Samuel trade.

If you remember, the Jets had a deal in place for Tyreek Hill before the Chiefs superstar picked Miami as his preferred destination. Despite getting shut down, New York has been linked with both DK Metcalf and AJ Brown, whose futures with the Seahawks and Titans appear murky amid their own contract disputes.

UPDATE: Deebo Samuel has officially requested a trade out of San Francisco, per ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington. 

With Samuel now available, GM Joe Douglas will look to get a deal done. Not only does Samuel have ties to head coach Robert Saleh from their time with the 49ers, but Samuel would be a perfect fit for Mike LaFleur’s offense.

Why is all of that significant? Because the Jets are slated to pick right before the Commanders at No. 10 overall. Assuming Samuel wouldn’t cost the No. 4 pick, the 49ers could jump right ahead of Washington with the 10th pick.

Most mock drafts have the Jets going WR with that selection. Could that result in Washington getting its pick of all the top receivers?

Will the 49ers simply draft Samuel’s replacement or address another need like cornerback or edge rusher? At that point in the draft, it’s conceivable that Sauce Gardner, Stingley, McDuffie, or Jermaine Johnson will be available.

Would Garrett Wilson suddenly be in play for the Commanders? Most mocks have the Ohio State star going No. 8 to Atlanta or No. 10 to New York.

We’re clearly just spit-balling here, but it’s something to chew on with Samuel officially on the trade block, and the Jets, who pick right before Washington, likely to be heavily involved now that the cat is out of the bag.

Editor’s note: This article was written before the Darlington report.