Deebo Samuel

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		97	406	5,519	27
2025		16	72	727	5
2024		15	51	670	3
2023		15

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Deebo Samuel's contract earns a C+ Contract Value Index, with the AAV sitting where the comparable-tier deals tend to settle. At $17M annually on a one-year deal, Samuel is being paid at the upper-middle tier of the receiver market, yet his 2025 production—727 receiving yards across 16 games—falls squarely into respectable-starter territory rather than the elite, game-breaking output that once justified his premium pricing in San Francisco. The heel injury that sidelined him late in the season compounds the valuation question; teams evaluating a 30-year-old veteran receiver now factor in durability risk alongside declining dual-threat production, which naturally compresses his CVI grade despite a solid performance mark. As a seven-year veteran entering free agency with his contract voiding, Samuel finds himself in a genuine reclamation window—the Ravens and Raiders interest suggests real league-wide value at his current price point, but Washington's clear pivot toward other receiver options signals the Commanders themselves view him as replaceable rather than foundational. The one-year structure offers Samuel a last-chance audition at a veteran salary, making this a fair-value deal if he lands with a scheme that can maximize his remaining upside, but not a bargain given the health questions and the gap between his current output and his historical peak.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Deebo's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Deebo Samuel brings seven seasons of battle-tested production to Washington, a versatile weapon whose Swiss Army knife skill set has long made him one of football's most dynamic offensive threats. Graded at B+ overall, Samuel sits comfortably among the upper tier of experienced receivers — a player whose career body of work commands respect even as his current season reflects a slight dip from his peak. His career passer rating of 102.8 and 8.00 yards per attempt tell the story of a genuinely dangerous target when healthy and properly schemed. This season, Samuel's 45.4 receiving yards per game ranks above NFL average — a league mean sitting at just 18.39 — demonstrating his sustained ability to contribute as a consistent volume threat. His 0.31 receiving touchdowns per game also outpaces the NFL average of 0.18, reinforcing his red-zone value. The concern lies in yards per reception: his 10.1 average trails the NFL mean of 12.13, suggesting he's functioning more as a short-to-intermediate option than the explosive chunk-play weapon he's been at his best. His season trend — a B+ in 2023 followed by back-to-back C+ grades in 2024 and 2025 — signals a meaningful plateau that warrants monitoring. At 30, Samuel is entering the phase where sustaining explosiveness requires ideal usage and health alignment. If Washington can manufacture more designed touches and leverage his run-after-catch ability, a rebound toward B-range performance remains realistic. The ceiling is still there — the floor just needs reinforcement.

How Deebo Compares at the Position

Deebo Samuel ranks 36th of 295 graded wide receivers by performance. That slots Deebo between Keenan Allen (B+) just ahead and Rashee Rice (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Deebo Samuel enters 2026 as a polarizing veteran receiver facing significant perception headwinds following his contract void with Washington. Media coverage is dominated by trade speculation and free agency chatter, with no positive performance narratives or team commitment anchoring his value. At 7 years into his career with 5,500+ receiving yards but no Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections, Samuel occupies an awkward middle ground—too accomplished to dismiss as a role player, yet not elite enough to weather negative headlines without reputational damage. The uniform tone of recent coverage suggests front offices and analysts view him as a salary-cap casualty rather than a sought-after prize, dampening fan enthusiasm and market perception. Perception will likely stabilize once his destination is clarified, but current sentiment reflects uncertainty and organizational distance rather than confidence in his 2026 impact.