The San Francisco 49ers have spent the past few years dancing on the edge of greatness, always a contender, but never quite able to hoist that sixth Lombardi Trophy. Now, with free agency looming and the NFL Draft approaching, the Niners find themselves at a critical juncture: Who do they take at No. 11, and perhaps more importantly, will Deebo Samuel still be wearing red and gold come September?

Deebo Samuel: Staying or Packing His YAC and Leaving?

If you told a 49ers fan in 2021 that Deebo Samuel might not finish his career in the Bay, you’d probably be met with a scoff, a side-eye, and possibly a very aggressive use of the word “bruh”. But here we are. Deebo, the king of YAC (yards after catch), remains one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league, but the hard truth? He’s expensive, and the 49ers have some financial decisions to make.

The 49ers could clear over $20 million in cap space if they move Deebo after June 1, and with a receiver-heavy draft class, it’s tempting to trade him while his value remains high. Plus, his production dipped in 2023, partially due to injuries and the emergence of Brandon Aiyuk as the team’s true WR1. Could a WR-needy team (looking at you, Carolina or New England) send a first-rounder for Deebo? It’s not out of the question.

So, Who’s the Pick at No. 11?

For the first time since Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch took over, the 49ers actually have a first-round draft pick. The last time they were this high in the order, they landed Nick Bosa. No pressure, right?

With the No. 11 pick, the Niners could go a few ways:

• Offensive Tackle: Trent Williams is still elite, but he’s not getting any younger. If top tackles like Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu somehow slip to 11, the 49ers would be wise to think long-term protection for Brock Purdy.
• Edge Rusher: Nick Bosa needs a tag-team partner who can actually produce. If Laiatu Latu (UCLA) or Dallas Turner (Alabama) are on the board, pairing them with Bosa could create a nightmare for opposing QBs.
• Wide Receiver (if Deebo is traded): If the 49ers move on from Deebo, don’t rule out Rome Odunze (Washington) or Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU) as his replacement.

The Big Picture

The 49ers don’t need to overhaul their roster, but they do need to get younger, cheaper, and more sustainable at key positions. Whether that means parting ways with Deebo or bolstering the trenches remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure, 49ers fans should buckle up, because this offseason could get wild.