NFL intelligence feed

Samuel was a part-time player in Week 1 with a 44.4% route share but made the most of limited opportunities, finishing as WR13 with a 20.6% target share (tied for team lead), 48 receiving yards (3.0 YPRR), 20% first-read share, three red zone targets (team-leading), and one rushing carry for 12 yards. Derek Brown expects Samuel to have another strong game in Week 2 against Miami's hapless defense.

Samuel reunited with Brock Purdy in Week 1, catching six passes for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Rams. The 49ers showcased Samuel as one of their multiple offensive weapons, and he remains a key part of San Francisco's depth at receiver alongside Mike Evans and other targets.

One comment jokingly suggests Deebo as alternative: 'Funny way of spelling Deebo,' implying Deebo may be better play.

Deebo Samuel could see increased involvement in the 49ers' offense Sunday if rookie running back Kaelon Black's groin tightness limits his availability against Miami.

Wide receiver could see increased involvement in the 49ers backfield if rookie running back Kaelon Black is unavailable for Week 2. Kyle Shanahan indicated the team is deciding between activating Jordan James or expanding Deebo Samuel's role in the running game.

Samuel is expected to be a focal point of the 49ers' offense against Miami, as the source states 'this will be a Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Kaelon Black game.' Samuel was used in a pony set with Kaelon Black in Week 1 and is positioned to exploit Miami's base-heavy defensive personnel (68% of snaps, 39% above league average).

The source expects Week 2 to be 'a Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Kaelon Black game.' Samuel ran through a tackle on his lone carry in Week 1 and combined with McCaffrey and Black for 97 yards after contact. The 49ers used a fullback on 42.2% of snaps (36% above league average), and Samuel was part of the pony set that generated a touchdown on an angle route against Miami's rookie cornerback.

Ranked in the top tier of Week 2 WR rankings by Yahoo Fantasy Football analysts, indicating strong projected performance for the week.

Deebo Samuel is expected to see a high volume of routes while filling in for Deshawn Stribbling. The source highlights that he is a strong waiver wire pickup, especially given that his team is projected to score the most points of the week following Thursday Night Football.

Samuel benefited from Juszczyk's motion sequencing in Week 1; in the third quarter, after Juszczyk's misdirection forced defensive overadjustment, Samuel was able to block the defensive end on back-to-back plays, giving the right side of the offensive line the angles needed to secure their blocks. This blocking contribution was part of the 49ers' dominant run-game execution.

Samuel benefited from the 49ers' dash-motion scheme, blocking the defensive end twice in back-to-back plays late in the third quarter when Juszczyk shifted his insertion point. This blocking contribution was part of the offensive scheme that generated 2.79 yards before contact for 49ers running backs in Week 1, the highest in the NFL that week.

Samuel, 30 years old, had an excellent Week 1 debut with a red-zone target on a Texas route from the backfield (first read), a quick out off play action (first read), second-and-1 out route (first read), a screen (first read), and a backfield choice route TD (broken play). The Dolphins have the youngest defense by a mile, and rookie slot CB Chris Johnson was targeted 11 times in his debut, allowing two touchdowns. The source projects Samuel to finish as a top-30 WR in Week 2.

The source notes that Dolphins linebacker Ronnie Harrison's hamstring injury and absence from special teams creates shuffling of bodies on special teams, which historically leads to mistakes and big plays for opponents. This defensive vulnerability bodes well for 49ers receivers like Deebo Samuel in Week 2.

The Dolphins' special teams disruption due to Ronine Harrison's hamstring injury creates favorable conditions for the 49ers offense; the source notes that shuffling bodies on special teams historically leads to mistakes and big plays for opponents, benefiting Deebo Samuel.

Samuel was the top waiver wire add this week after an inspired performance against the Rams and injuries to other 49ers receivers. He was targeted on 22.1% of his routes and managed 0.42 fantasy points per route run on a 74.1% route participation rate, which the source expects to increase this week. Samuel faces Chris Johnson in Week 2, who was targeted on a mammoth 37% of routes run against him (second only to Jonas Sanker at 42%) and allowed 0.40 fantasy points per route run. Fantasy managers who drafted or added Samuel should be excited about this matchup.

Samuel is listed among other good matchups in Week 2 vs. MIA, indicating favorable opponent secondary.

Ranked 69 overall with a great matchup against the Dolphins. Had a strong role in Week 1 including a backfield carry inside the 20-yard line. The source views him as a key reason not to panic about the 49ers after losing Brandon Aiyuk, citing his solid performance and versatile usage.

Deebo Samuel is rising +23.7 ADP to 111.4 after injuries to young 49ers WRs Ricky Pearsall and De'Zhaun Stribling opened up the opportunity. While Demarcus Robinson moved up 42.8 ADP after scoring a TD in the opener, Samuel is positioned for a consistent role with rushing attempts included. The 49ers' target tree has consolidated around Mike Evans, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Deebo, making him a key part of the offense.

De'Zhaun Stribling's long-term injury shores up Samuel inside the top 40, with room to grow if he is actually healthy, elevating his role in the 49ers' passing attack.

De'Zhaun Stribling's long-term injury shores up Deebo Samuel inside the top 40, with room to grow if he is actually healthy.