The 49ers look like they’re not budging when it comes to Deebo Samuel.
They received trade offers from both the Jets and Lions in Thursday night’s first round of the NFL draft and declined both, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The New York offer involved pick No. 10 in exchange for Samuel and the chance for the Jets to move up a bit elsewhere in the draft, Rapoport told the Pat McAfee show Friday morning.
“The Jets offered pick 10 and a pick swap — so basically what would have been the equivalent of between pick 13 and 14, so pick 10 and a little less — for Deebo Samuel,” he said. “And the 49ers wouldn’t do it.”
The first round of the draft featured trades of two established receivers in A.J. Brown (from Titans to Eagles) and Hollywood Brown (from Ravens to Cardinals), but Samuel stayed put. Both traded wideouts are represented by agent Tory Dandy, who also represents Samuel.
Both the Jets and Lions ended up drafting receivers with one of their multiple picks in the first round as New York took Garrett Wilson (Ohio State) at No. 10 and Detroit selected the ACL-rehabbing Jameson Williams (Alabama) two slots later.
General manager John Lynch signaled earlier this week that the 49ers planned to slow-play the Samuel situation, expecting only to hear out offers for the do-it-all Pro Bowler.
“We’ve been consistent since we’ve been here in that we listen on just about anyone. That’s something we’ll always do,” Lynch said at a pre-draft media session Monday. “But like I said, I can’t ever imagine moving on from Deebo. He’s been such a great player for us. He means so much to this franchise. I’ve got nothing but love for the guy.”
Whether a GM or coach is bluffing in the run-up to the draft is often a guessing game, but it appears Lynch was telling the truth.
“The 49ers just wouldn’t engage. I think everyone was sort of waiting like ‘Obviously they’re just gonna do this deal,’ and then they just … didn’t,” Rapoport said. “So now, like, he’s not happy. When is he going to show up? I don’t know. And I think they’re going to try to make this better, but will they? There’s a lot more questions than answers with the Deebo Samuel situation now that he didn’t get traded last night.”
Teammate Arik Armstead spoke briefly about the Samuel situation Friday on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football.
“I haven’t been privy to the conversations with him, Kyle and John, but I think they’ll get it figured out,” Armstead said. “He did so many amazing things for our team this year and he should definitely be rewarded for that, and I think it’s going to happen.”
The 49ers could still opt to move on from Samuel if they receive a multi-pick haul from Day 2 or 3, or if the draft spurs an offer of future picks or current players, but judging from their actions in the first round, it appears Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan are focused on trying to keep the dynamic Samuel in the Bay Area.
Day 2 of the draft — which features the second and third rounds — begins at 4 p.m. The 49ers have picks Nos. 61, 93 and 105.
