Despite rumors that Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel could be on the move, it’d be wise for the San Francisco 49ers to keep them in 2024.
There are few teams in the NFL that are truly vying for a Super Bowl appearance in 2024. One of those teams are the reigning champions in the Kansas City Chiefs. The only other team that can truly say the same is their 2023 Super Bowl opponent, the San Francisco 49ers. And despite rumors that the 49ers may trade wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, the team would be wise to keep them both in 2024.
Offseason Rumors
Since the end of the 2023 season, Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk have been the focal point of trade rumors surrounding the 49ers. Samuel was given a new contract in 2022, while Aiyuk is looking for one of his own. Things got especially heated with Aiyuk, who unfollowed the team on Instagram this offseason. He also posted this on his IG back in March.
Brandon Aiyuk’s latest IG story 👀 pic.twitter.com/lp8RDR399N
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) March 25, 2024
And, when speaking on the Nightcap podcast, the 49ers’ wide receiver didn’t hold back on his thoughts.
“I’m trying to get what I deserve,” Aiyuk said. “I feel like this [past] season … I figured out who I was as a person and a player. What I bring to the table, what I bring to the locker room, what I bring to the organization. And just the value I hold when I walk in that building.”
Then, six days before the draft, Aiyuk posted what many deemed to be a cryptic message on IG.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Brandon Aiyuk’s latest IG post:
“Brother said we got 6 days and it’s fireworks” pic.twitter.com/LLpl5nBIXE
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) April 19, 2024
However, what happened on the first day of the NFL draft actually led me to believe that Aiyuk will stay in San Francisco.
With the No. 31 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the 49ers selected Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall was Aiyuk’s teammate at Arizona State in 2019. In fact, when Pearsall was selected, he texted general manager John Lynch praising the pick.
Brandon Aiyuk texted John Lynch about the #49ers pick of Florida WR Ricky Pearsall,
“Fire pick, can’t lie.”
pic.twitter.com/uKQOVpE9yN— Alex Tran (@nineralex) April 26, 2024
On its face, it seems like the Pearsall pick means the 49ers will trade either Samuel or Aiyuk. However, not only do I think that’s wrong, I think it would be malpractice for the team to do so.
Another Piece to the Puzzle
One of the biggest reasons that the 49ers lost in the Super Bowl last season was their receivers’ inefficiency against man coverage – especially Deebo Samuel. In fact, we saw Jauan Jennings out-perform both Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel in the Super Bowl last year. However, man coverage is where Ricky Pearsall thrives.
Per Matt Harmon, Pearsall is in the 87th percentile at beating man coverage with a 75.8 percent success rate. Out of all the prospects charted by Harmon, Pearsall was second to Rome Odunze in success against man coverage.
Adding Pearsall to the 49ers offense gives the team an entirely new dimension while still allowing them to do what they do best. It allows Samuel to be freely moved across the formation, unlocking his YAC ability. It also stops defenses from swinging coverage to Aiyuk’s side. After all, Pearsall is more than just a fast slot receiver. Despite not receiving a lot of priority reps on the outside, he’s shown an ability to win there with strength and footwork.
Ricky Pearsall in an outside snap vs press which is rare. This might be one of his most physical routes I have seen so far.
More on https://t.co/C1UlhWpa0X pic.twitter.com/A2BwilvKx0— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) May 5, 2024
However, perhaps the biggest attribute that could help the 49ers is Pearsall’s blocking ability. The 49ers won’t need to go with heavier formations when your slot receiver is able to block like this.
I'm not even two minutes into 49ers Ricky Pearsall's tape and he has already impressed as a blocker
He caught two in-breaking routes in a row prior to becoming the lead blocker on this touchdown run right here pic.twitter.com/WBDm69rMRD
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) April 30, 2024
Why cut your nose to spite your face?
The biggest reason why Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk won’t be involved in a trade this season is probably the most simplest. Why would the 49ers cut their nose to spite their face?
The fact of the matter is that the 49ers are one of the few teams where it’s unanimously agreed that they are a Super Bowl contender. There is zero reason for the team to trade a budding superstar in Aiyuk (and it seems that a contract extension may be on the horizon). Nor does it make sense to trade Samuel when the team could easily part ways with the wide receiver after the 2024 season.
Whatever happens in 2025 remains to be seen. However, nothing suggests that the 49ers will trade either wide receiver this season. And, they would be foolish to do so while the team is still in their championship window.
