Sep 11, 2025; Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Washington Commanders broad receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) throughout warmups previous to the sport towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Lambeau Area. Obligatory Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photos
The Minnesota Vikings signed Jauan Jennings earlier this month, an emphatic addition to the WR room, and in response to Bleacher Report, the franchise also needs to pursue Jennings’s former teammate, Deebo Samuel.
Minnesota’s broad receiver room may nonetheless have room for yet another daring swing.
Samuel popped up on a BR free company listing, with the Vikings listed as a attainable vacation spot.
A Crowded WR Room May Make Vikings Extremely Harmful
Washington Commanders broad receiver Deebo Samuel stands on the sphere throughout a matchup towards the Atlanta Falcons on Sep. 28, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Samuel continued his first season with Washington because the Commanders confronted Atlanta in an early portion of the NFC regular-season schedule on the street. Obligatory Credit score: Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos.
BR: Vikings a Match for Samuel
Samuel stays on the open market, and BR’s Alex Kay wrote this week, “The Washington Commanders moved on from Deebo Samuel after a single season, but the 30-year-old wideout should still have something left to offer another team as he gears up for his third NFL act. Samuel can be a dangerous playmaker when he possesses the football.”
“He’s amassed 800 or more yards from scrimmage and scored at least four touchdowns in all six of his healthy seasons — only missing those marks during an injury-shortened 2020 sophomore effort — and averages nearly 11 yards per touch on his career.”
Samuel felt like an affordable Vikings possibility earlier than the Jennings addition, however after, most simply assumed that Minnesota was finished including WRs.
Kay added, “While Samuel wasn’t a great fit in Washington and was limited by the lack of talent under center following Jayden Daniels‘ injury woes, he still managed to score six touchdowns on just 89 touches in 2025. He was a YAC machine — nearly two-thirds of his receiving yardage came after the catch — and he can be relied on to churn respectable gains if he gets the ball in space at his next stop.”
“Any team seeking a versatile weapon who can line up at multiple offensive positions, as well as contribute on special teams, should have interest in Samuel. Potential Landing Spots: Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots”
Samuel’s Resume
Samuel’s physique work is greater than sufficient for the Vikings’ WR3-WR4 position. Since getting into the NFL in 2019, he has established himself as a authentic starting-caliber weapon in San Francisco and Washington. He accrued a 1,405-yard season with San Francisco in 2021, an 892-yard marketing campaign in 2023, and a 727-yard efficiency with Washington in 2025. His profile is sort of interesting alongside Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and the aforementioned Jennings.
Moreover, his versatility is a large asset. Samuel has been extra than simply an strange broad receiver; he has excelled at operating the ball, outperforming a lot of his friends on this space. Over seven seasons, he has amassed greater than 1,200 dashing yards and scored 21 touchdowns on the bottom, offering Minnesota with a flexible participant who infuses creativity into their offense. Twenty-one dashing scores for a wideout is staggering.
Whereas his burst might not match his earlier days, the Vikings wouldn’t want him to be the first offensive possibility. As a substitute, they’d depend on him to excel as a WR3 or WR4, stretch defenses horizontally, and supply head coach and playcaller Kevin O’Connell with one other avenue for creating simple touches.
The Vikings’ WR group would love this if BR has it proper:
WR1: Justin JeffersonWR2: Jordan AddisonWR3: Jauan JenningsWR4: Deebo SamuelWR5: Tai FeltonWR6: Myles PriceWR7: Jeshaun JonesWR8: Dontae FlemingWR9: Joaquin DavisWR10: Dillon BellWR11: Luke WysongWR12: Marcus SandersWR12: Terrill Davis
The Value Tag
Minnesota isn’t swimming in cash proper now to afford Samuel, however most additionally didn’t consider it will signal Jennings for $8 million. At this juncture of free company — it’s nearing three months previous — Samuel will probably signal someplace on a deal value $8 million to $10 million.
San Francisco 49ers broad receiver Deebo Samuel attends the NBA sport between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 8, 2022, at Crypto.com Enviornment in Los Angeles, California. Samuel appeared courtside throughout Tremendous Bowl week festivities after serving to the 49ers attain the NFC Championship Sport through the 2021 NFL season. Obligatory Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Or — if the Jennings low cost shines by means of, a crew may provide $6 million or so and name it good. The longer the summer time wears on, Samuel’s worth might diminish.
The Vikings must decide whether or not Samuel’s would-be workload within the offense could be value $6 million to $10 million.
Limitless Firepower
Throughout a standard Vikings season during the last decade, followers are fortunate if the membership has a WR room three outstanding gamers deep, not to mention 4. For instance, Jalen Nailor was thought-about a sizzling commodity in 2024 and 2025, and he’s by no means totaled over 500 receiving yards in a season.
San Francisco 49ers broad receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. celebrates a landing towards the Detroit Lions through the third quarter on Dec. 30, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Samuel helped spark San Francisco’s offense through the nationally watched matchup because the 49ers battled Detroit late within the common season. Obligatory Credit score: Kyle Terada-Imagn Photos.
Using Jefferson, Addison, Jennings, and Samuel could be absurd — in the very best approach.
Signing Samuel would additionally hedge the wager towards harm. Suppose Jefferson tweaked his hamstring, as he did in 2023. The Vikings would flip to Addison, Jennings, and Samuel, and on no account, form, or kind wouldn’t it really feel like doomsday. Earlier than the Jennings addition, Jefferson lacking any video games in 2026 with the proposed WR setup would’ve implied catastrophe.
Samuel will flip 31 through the playoffs this season.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
