Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or James Robinson

Friday, April 26, 12:13 AM

The San Francisco 49ers are "more likely" to trade wide receiver Deebo Samuel than Brandon Aiyuk during this year's 2024 NFL draft, according to a source. Aiyuk's name has been mentioned in trade rumors all offseason, but now Samuel is the more likely pass-catcher to be dealt. Samuel, 28, is two years older than Aiyuk but has more versatility in the offense. However, Samuel also has a salary cap hit north of $20 million in 2025. Aiyuk is looking for a new long-term deal as he heads into the fifth and final contract of his rookie deal, but the Niners have been hesitant to give him a market deal given their other financial commitments. San Francisco took rookie pass-catcher Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in the first round on Thursday night, potentially foreshadowing a trade of either Samuel or Aiyuk in the coming days.

Monday, January 8, 6:23 PM

The New Orleans Saints signed free-agent veteran running back James Robinson to a futures deal on Monday. The move to keep Robinson around heading into the 2024 season comes after he was added to New Orleans' practice squad in early December. The 25-year-old was brought in to provide running back depth behind Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller, who missed Weeks 10-17 with an ankle sprain. Before landing a deal with the Saints, Robinson spent time with the Green Bay Packers' practice squad and was active in Week 13, only to see one carry for two yards while catching one pass for a loss of two yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. The former undrafted rookie free agent had a 1,000-yard season in his rookie year in 2020 with the Jacksonville Jaguars out of nowhere but hasn't been the same since and has been passed around the league as RB depth.