49ers: Is Deebo Samuel’s Rookie of the Year expectation realistic?
Deebo Samuel has set his sights on winning offensive rookie of the year in 2019, but is that expectation a realistic one for the 49ers receiver?
Deebo Samuel is not considered among the frontrunners for offensive rookie of the year despite being the third receiver taken in the 2019 NFL Draft, but the San Francisco 49ers wideout appears to be targeting a run at the award.
The former South Carolina Gamecock told The State that his big aim for his first season in the pros is to challenge for the honor and is in no doubt it is a realistic prospect.
He added:
"“Why would it not be? Just hard work and dedication to the game, just staying in the room and learning from (49ers quarterback Jimmy) Garoppolo and learning from all the guys.”"
Samuel’s self-confidence is very admirable and defined his pre-draft season as he enjoyed some intense battles with Rock Ya-Sin at the Senior Bowl, when he was under the tutelage of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff as they managed the South team in Mobile this year.
The route-running chops of Samuel and his evident belief will have played a role in the Niners’ decision to select him 36th overall, but is he actually in a realistic position with San Francisco to contend for Rookie of the Year?
Looking at the composition of the Niners’ roster, the answer appears to be a very obvious no. Star tight end George Kittle, second-year receiver Dante Pettis and running backs Tevin Coleman, Jerick McKinnon and even Matt Breida will all command passing game work, limiting his potential target share and, most would assume, his hopes of winning individual honors.
Yet this was a better draft on the defense than offense and, in terms of players drafted ahead of him, there are no sure things.
Top pick Kyler Murray is the obvious favorite but his rookie year in Arizona has as much potential for disaster as it does for significant success, and there is no guarantee of Daniel Jones or Dwayne Haskins getting on the field. History is against tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant being overly successful as rookies while receiver N’Keal Harry is on a Patriots team likely to commit to running the ball too much for him to contend for the award.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is well positioned for a Rookie of the Year campaign as a probable focal point of the Oakland offense, and Marquise Brown is the kind of explosive playmaker who could insert himself into the conversation if the Ravens’ passing game clicks.
If those drafted ahead of him disappoint, Samuel certainly has the skill set to produce a rookie season to enter the discussion, with his elusiveness in the open field and ability to operate as a return man factors that could see him put up gaudy numbers in two facets of the game.
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Samuel winning Rookie of the Year may seem a stretch at this point, but it is certainly not out of the realms of possibility. He is an excellent fit for what should be a prolific 49ers offense and may at least be worthy of consideration if he consistently produces and the leading contenders fail to live up to the hype.