Report: The 49ers decided to keep Deebo Samuel 2 hours before the 2nd round began

By choice? Or did the market dictate that decision?

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirmed a previous report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini on Tuesday. In his “Key intel on all 32 teams after the draft” article, Fowler’s portion of the 49ers discussed the position that we discussed all April: Wide receiver.

Once Thursday passed, we had an idea that Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t leaving the Bay Area. Fowler likened Aiyuk’s situation to A.J. Brown’s before he was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles:

Multiple teams told me they had interest in Brandon Aiyuk, but they believed the 49ers wanted a first-round pick for him, with one comparing the situation to that of A.J. Brown, who went from Tennessee to Philadelphia in 2022 in exchange for the 18th pick. The Eagles then signed him to a four-year, $100 million contract. Trading for Aiyuk would have required a new deal and a premium pick.

Is Aiyuk’s value equivalent to a first-round pick? Absolutely. His performance and potential make him a valuable asset that could significantly contribute to any team’s success. Is Aiyuk worth upwards of $25 million annually? We’re going to find out before the end of the summer, but also, yes.

Teams around the NFL didn’t feel like Aiyuk was worth both in a draft that tied for the most receivers ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Coincidentally enough, the 49ers selected a wide receiver in that draft at No. 31: Rashaun Woods.

Once we turned the page to Day 2, all the focus shifted to Deebo Samuel. A handful of the teams picking in the top 50 had a need at receiver, and Deebo seemed to fit the bill. But Fowler’s source said the Niners had already made a decision not to move Samuel before the draft started:

The 49ers did discuss Deebo Samuel with teams on Day 2 of the draft, but a source said definitively two hours before the second round that San Francisco “isn’t moving him.”

Whether that was an internal decision, other teams deciding for the 49ers or all of the above, the 49ers are in a better position to win in 2024 with Samuel on the roster.

In what feels like a contract year for Deebo, I’m curious about his usage rates compared to the past few seasons. The elephant in the room is that he’s gone after the 2024 season. Does that mean Kyle Shanahan will “run him into the ground,” so to speak?

The scouts and executives Fowler spoke with felt like the 49ers reached on their first two picks:

The intrigue deepened when San Francisco took Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall — a player most teams had pegged as a second-round pick — at No. 31.

“He can be a nice No. 2 or No. 3 receiver, a good player, but that was a bit of a reach, in my opinion,” an NFC personnel evaluator said of Pearsall.

Added an AFC exec: “They wanted a route runner like the Rams have in Puka [Nacua]. Probably see him in that same role.”

Scouts thought second-round corner Renardo Green was a bit of a reach, too, but it’s hard to argue the 49ers don’t maximize talent under Kyle Shanahan.

If that’s the case, the need for Samuel to be productive will be as high as ever.