Adam Peters was aggressive in pursuit of cementing the Washington Commanders' place among the leading Super Bowl challengers. Not every move has paid off as yet, but the one personnel decision that almost everyone mocked already looks like a bona fide steal.
The Commanders recognized the need to surround quarterback Jayden Daniels with an improved supporting cast. This became Peters' biggest priority over his second recruitment period at the helm, which also came with an eyebrow-raising trade to acquire wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. from the San Francisco 49ers.
Samuel's time in San Francisco had come to an end. Both sides mutually agreed to go their separate ways, and it was largely anticipated that the former South Carolina standout would be released heading into free agency. Peters had other ideas, giving his old employers a fifth-round pick to jump the queue.
Commanders' trade for Deebo Samuel Sr. already looks like a sound investment
The Niners gave up on Samuel, eating more than $34 million in dead cap money to remove him from the equation. Peters thought he still had something left to give, and the Commanders restructured his contract to provide him with more guarantees for good measure.
This was almost immediately ridiculed. Most analysts believed the Commanders had made a significant mistake. Samuel's commitment and conditioning came under increasing scrutiny. He was lambasted for reportedly being out of shape to begin Washington's offseason program. That wasn't the case, and the versatile wideout is well on course to silencing these doubters.
Samuel has stepped up as Washington goes through some complex injury issues in its receiver room. He's being used across the line of scrimmage, looking explosive and elusive. Kliff Kingsbury's getting him involved in the rushing attack, and the All-Pro is also making his presence felt in the kick return game to further enhance his influence.
The Pro Bowler is on course for more than 1,000 all-purpose yards (receiving and rushing) if Samuel keeps this current pace. He looks healthy and focused. He's relishing this new challenge, and the Commanders are depending upon him heavily with sound results.
If the same trend continues, the Commanders will be vindicated in their choice to bring Samuel on board when the Niners wrote him off. This could also see Peters give the 2019 second-round pick another lucrative contract to extend his stay in Washington.
That was always the best-case scenario for all involved. And when players such as Noah Brown and second-team All-Pro Terry McLaurin get back onto the field, that should open up even more space for Samuel to do damage.
There is a long way to go, but those who criticized Samuel should get ready to eat a large slice of humble pie.