DONE DEAL: Patriots confirm another Trade Deal $71.55 Million contract

BY admin August 31, 2024

If Samuel becomes available, Justin Melo of The Draft Network suggests the Patriots should pursue a trade for the 28-year-old. Melo anticipates that rookie Drake Maye will have taken over the starting quarterback role from Jacoby Brissett by November, meaning the Patriots will need additional playmakers to support the third overall pick from this year’s draft.

Samuel fits the bill due to his “ability to relieve pressure on quarterbacks by making plays as a runner and underneath coverage, which is invaluable for a young passer.”

Another factor favoring this move is its potentially low cost. Melo pointed out that “the Patriots wouldn’t have to part with a first-round pick, and the 49ers are unlikely to receive that level of compensation in an in-season trade anyway.”

While this might seem unlikely given Aiyuk’s recent decision to stay in San Francisco, there are valid reasons why Samuel could become a trade option, and the Patriots have numerous clear incentives to be interested.

Deebo Samuel Trade Perfect for Patriots

Samuel is an ideal fit for the Patriots because of his proven ability to elevate unproven and lesser-known quarterbacks in San Francisco. Former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo reached a Super Bowl largely due to Samuel’s breakout 2019 season.

More recently, Brock Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 draft, led the 49ers to another Super Bowl with Samuel as one of his key playmakers. Samuel could provide the same impact for Maye, offering a dual-threat presence that can exploit defenses both through the air and on the ground.

Samuel excels at turning short, quick passes into big plays thanks to his impressive yards-after-catch ability. A prime example of his skill set is his 50-yard catch-and-run touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles last season, showcasing what he does best.

Samuel has recorded at least 398 yards after catch in every season of his NFL career, according to Pro Football Reference, and he’s averaged over eight yards after catch per reception in each of his five seasons.

Samuel’s skill set wouldn’t be complete without highlighting his impact in the running game. He’s explosive and powerful when taking handoffs, as seen in his touchdown run against the Dallas Cowboys during the 2021 playoffs, featured on Inside the NFL. His breakaway speed would perfectly complement Rhamondre Stevenson’s power in New England’s run-heavy offense.

Samuel could fulfill the role the Patriots hoped Kendrick Bourne would fill when they signed him in 2021. However, Bourne has been little more than a budget version of Samuel, leaving the Patriots still searching for a truly elite wide receiver.

Patriots Still Waiting for Elite Receiver

Efforts to land a top-tier pass-catcher have repeatedly fallen short this offseason. As Chris Mason of MassLive.com noted, “the misses in free agency (Calvin Ridley) and on the trade market (Brandon Aiyuk) need to be acknowledged, too. In both cases, the players didn’t seem to want to come to the Patriots, but at the end of the day, it’s a bottom line business and neither is helping New England’s offense this fall.”

Without established talent in the receiving corps, the Patriots are forced to rely on unproven potential. Players like sophomore slot receiver DeMario Douglas and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk will need to make immediate impacts.

This scarcity of options also puts pressure on a fragile third-year pro to exceed expectations. The numerous uncertainties surrounding his receiving group will only complicate Maye’s job when he eventually takes over from Brissett.

Samuel is exactly the type of quarterback-friendly target the Patriots need as they wait for Maye to rejuvenate the franchise at football’s most critical position.

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