Deebo Samuel Sr.'s trade to the Washington Commanders sent shockwaves through the league. It represented another major statement of intent from general manager Adam Peters, who capitalized on his previous connections to the San Francisco 49ers and secured another cost-effective acquisition with Pro Bowl-caliber production.
The Commanders didn't wait around on the off chance San Francisco released Samuel. They got ahead of the queue, and it didn't cost them anything more than a fifth-round pick after taking on his 2025 salary.
This provides the Commanders with two legitimate wide receivers for quarterback Jayden Daniels to utilize. The high-profile transaction could also spell the end of Dyami Brown's time with the organization.
Brown became a renaissance man down the stretch and into the playoffs. The Commanders needed him to step up after Noah Brown's season-ending injury and he duly delivered, becoming a trusted target and making big plays in key moments as Washington went on a sensational run to the NFC Championship game.
This was easily the best stretch of Brown's four-year stint in Washington. It also came at a good time for the player, who's a free agent and looking to cash in on his recent resurgence.
Commanders' screen frequency dictated more than Dyami Brown was needed
Samuel's arrival dents Brown's chances of getting another commitment from Washington. It's not impossible by any stretch. Even so, the fact he was utilized on so many screens last season and the strengths the South Carolina product brings don't help his cause.
According to analyst Adam Pfeifer, Daniels averaged 4.1 screen attempts per game last season. It's a significant part of Kliff Kingsbury's offense that brought mixed success overall.
The trade for Samuel changes that in an instant. He's one of the most dangerous players around after the catch, leading the league with 16 YAC per reception in 2023 before a down year by his typically high standards last time around.
Long story short, the Commanders will be running screens with Samuel, not Brown. That's a huge upgrade and one that can help the offense run more efficiently.
Brown indicated he wouldn't be mad if an extension was worked out with the Commanders. The former third-round pick out of North Carolina is also eager to test the market and see if a bigger, long-term offer arrives with a team that can offer him a more prominent role moving forward.
That's not something the Commanders will provide.
Terry McLaurin and Samuel are the top dogs. Hope remains that Luke McCaffrey can be more impactful in 2025 with another offseason to develop his craft. Peters will also examine the free-agent pool and incoming draft class to fortify depth and surround Daniels with everything needed to thrive.
An exciting future and frantic offseason await the Commanders. Whether those plans include Brown remains to be seen, but it would be surprising if Peters matched the financial commitment he'll probably get elsewhere. If no decent offer arrives, that makes an extension more likely.
This could go either way. But regardless of whether Brown sticks around or not, Samuel brings much more immediate promise to the table.