The Washington Commanders have a big decision to make with wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. this offseason. His trade to the franchise went well in difficult circumstances, but whether general manager Adam Peters is willing to pony up what it might take to keep him around is another matter.
Samuel's contract will be a difficult one to predict. He's going to hold out for as much as possible in what will probably be his last chance to get a lucrative deal. Unless a compromise can be reached beforehand, the Commanders have no option other than to let him test the market.
There should be interest in Samuel. He's not the dynamic player of old, but he's useful as a versatile, complementary piece in an offense tailored to suit his skill set. And one analyst believes that can be an outstanding security blanket for the projected No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Raiders projected as landing spot for Deebo Samuel if the Commanders don't re-sign him
Seth Trachtman from Yardbarker thought the Las Vegas Raiders could take a big swing for Samuel if the Commanders let him see what he can get on the market. The AFC West club needs to support Fernando Mendoza if he becomes the top pick as expected. Adding someone with versatility and proven production would be a good place to start.
"[Deebo] Samuel performed well in a disappointing season for Washington with 802 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, but it remains to be seen if he will return. The Raiders are among the teams desperate for wideout help, as the team looks to support likely No. 1 overall draft choice Fernando Mendoza."Seth Trachtman
Initial projections thought Samuel would get in the region of $20 million per year on his next deal. Those have come down to just over $13 million, so the Commanders could easily absorb that figure if they want to re-sign the player. At the same time, there is also a need to get younger, faster, and more explosive almost everywhere on the roster.
Samuel has some useful qualities. Giving him another deal would also keep some semblance of continuity around quarterback Jayden Daniels, although much will also depend on the scheme new offensive coordinator David Blough plans to run, and how the All-Pro out of South Carolina fits into it.
This could go either way. The Commanders will probably make Samuel a cost-effective offer and hope there is more stability on the injury front around him next season. Whether he'd accept it is a different conversation entirely.
And if Samuel does decide to take his chances elsewhere, the Raiders make more sense than most.