Rival NFL executive makes claim that key San Francisco 49ers playmaker is the ultimate weapon

With all the attention focused on Brandon Aiyuk this offseason, there's a case to be made that his fellow San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has become something of a forgotten man.

In terms of production in receiving yards, Aiyuk has had the edge the last two seasons as he has built his case for a long-term extension he has still yet to receive, leading to his trade request on Tuesday.

And it was Aiyuk who made it on to ESPN's list of the top 10 wide receivers in the NFL this week, sneaking into the 10 spot following a poll of coaches, executives and scouts.

Samuel did not crack the top 10, being listed only as an honorable mention after a 2023 season that saw him rack up 1,117 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns.

But he still received a huge compliment from one AFC executive, who said of Samuel: "Durability has been a bit of a concern, but he's the ultimate weapon."

The executive is right to point to Samuel's durability as a concern, given he has never played a full NFL regular season.

Yet there is no doubting Samuel remains a unique talent among wide receivers with what he can do out of the backfield and after the catch as an open-field runner and the physical manner in which he does it.

The 49ers lost three successive games last season when Samuel came out of the lineup on the first play of that streak with a shoulder injury.

That should not be seen as a coincidence given Samuel's importance to the offense and his tone-setting style of play. With talk of the 49ers potentially moving on from Samuel next year to save cap space in an offseason that will likely see them give Brock Purdy a huge payday, the 49ers may soon need to figure out how they can cope without the "ultimate weapon" on their side for the long term.

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