The Los Angeles Rams have already made their intentions clear for 2026. With blockbuster trades for Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett, they’ve pushed their chips to the middle of the table.
Even after that aggressive offseason, one roster issue still stands out: the No. 3 wide receiver spot. The Rams used the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Ty Simpson, but they still didn’t come away with a solution for that third receiver role.
That’s where Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report sees a familiar name entering the picture. He’s predicting the Rams will sign former Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl wideout Deebo Samuel, a move he says would make perfect sense.
"The Rams add Deebo Samuel," Gagnon predicts. "The Rams saw a lot of Samuel during his six-year run in the NFC West. I wouldn't be shocked if they were to find a way to bring in the 30-year-old former star on a one-year contract."
In Gagnon’s view, Samuel would slide in behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and give the Rams a legitimate third option. That’s a role Samuel could fill without needing to be the centerpiece of the passing game.
The numbers from 2025 still show he can help. Samuel finished with 727 yards and five touchdowns on 72 catches for the Commanders. He’s no longer the Pro Bowl and All-Pro force he was with the 49ers in 2021, but that’s also why he likely wouldn’t command a major price tag on a one-year deal.
For the Rams, the appeal is simple. Behind Adams and Nacua, the current depth chart leans on Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and CJ Daniels. Those names may provide depth, but if either of the top two receivers misses time, the margin for error gets thin fast.
That’s why Samuel stands out as such a clean fit. He’d bring experience, versatility and enough proven production to be trusted in important moments, all without requiring the Rams to make a long-term commitment.
It’s not a wild prediction. In fact, it feels like the kind of move that could surface during training camp as the Rams continue getting ready for 2026. If they’re serious about chasing a Super Bowl, the third receiver spot looks like the clearest remaining need - and Samuel fits the job.
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The secondary has its own set of questions, and those could be just as revealing. Renardo Green is facing real pressure at cornerback from Jack Jones and rookie Ephysians Prysock, while at safety Malik Mustapha appears set, leaving JiAyir Brown, Marques Sigle and Ashtyn Davis to sort out the other starting role. With so much competition clustered in a few spots, camp will not just determine who starts, but how much flexibility the 49ers have when the season begins. [Read more 🡒]