Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or Amon-Ra St. Brown

Wednesday, January 8, 3:30 PM

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that the plan is to bring wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. back for the 2025 season. After signing receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to a hefty extension before the start of the 2024 season, it was assumed that the Niners would likely move on from Samuel heading into 2025 given his significant salary-cap hit. In addition to the decision regarding the future of Samuel, who missed the Week 18 regular-season finale due to rib and wrist injuries, the 49ers will also be navigating a long-term extension for quarterback Brock Purdy. If the Niners change their mind on the 28-year-old Samuel, he could be a trade candidate with one year left on his deal. In 15 games in 2024, he had 51 catches for 670 yards and only three touchdowns despite Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) missing significant time with injuries.

Sunday, January 19, 12:23 AM

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught eight of his 10 targets for 137 yards during Saturday's Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. The 25-year-old put together an impressive showing, but it wasn't enough to fend off a relentless Washington team. St. Brown and his Lions will fall short of a Super Bowl for the second consecutive season, and preparation for the 2025 season will commence immediately. Those preparations could look a little different, though, if offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepts a head coaching job elsewhere. A new offensive scheme could throw a learning curve at St. Brown, but he'll likely be able to adapt and remain a mid-to-high WR1 for fantasy purposes. Fantasy managers should anticipate St. Brown being selected in the first round of fantasy drafts next summer.