Deebo Samuel

Samuel started slowly as a rookie but took off in the season's second half, going 49-35-575-2 with 122 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Over a full season, that prorates to eight touchdowns and 1,394 yards from scrimmage. Samuel was also efficient. Despite eight drops, he managed 14.1 YPC and 9.9 YPT. He also saw a fair amount of red-zone use - 16 of his 81 targets were there, including seven from inside the 10. At 5-11, 214, Samuel has the physique of a running back and the ability to break tackles and get loose for big plays, given his 4.48 40 speed. In fact, coach Kyle Shanahan used Samuel in his running rotation, giving him 14 regular-season carries (three of which went for scores), plus six more totes in the postseason for 102 yards. Samuel should see more receiving work in Year 2 after the 49ers let Emmanuel Sanders walk via free agency, though the team used its first-round pick on the versatile and physical Brandon Aiyuk, who should serve as the deep threat. Jimmy Garoppolo showed he was no Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, but he's competent enough to support a productive No. 1 receiver alongside Aiyuk and superstar tight end George Kittle, and few receivers will match Samuel's bonus production as a rusher. Unfortunately, Samuel suffered a broken foot while he was training in mid-June, requiring surgery and leaving him uncertain for Week 1. The injury, a Jones fracture, is fairly common among wide receivers, and the incidence of aggravation is much higher for players that rush back into action.

The 36th overall pick in this year's draft, Samuel could start opposite Dante Pettis out of the gate in what should be a productive Kyle Shanahan offense with a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo. At 5-11, 214, Samuel is stout, strong and plenty athletic with a 4.48 40 and 39-inch vertical. He's a strong route runner and dangerous in the open field after the catch, but he never reached 900 receiving yards in four seasons at South Carolina, limited by a mixture of injuries and poor quarterback play. Samuel is also on the old side for a rookie after turning 23 in January, so his physical development has likely maxed out already. He'll have to displace deep threat Marquise Goodwin, who's probably better suited to a situational role, among others, but Samuel's odds are good given his physical tools and draft slot.