Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or Marquise Brown

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.

Saturday, April 20, 1:03 PM

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach acknowledged that new wide receiver Marquise Brown could have a lucrative role with the team in 2024. With Brown now on the roster, the Chiefs feel better about their situation at the receiver position prior to the draft than they would have otherwise. Brown's role could be even more important with Rashee Rice's uncertain future following his arrest on charges stemming from a car crash in March. As things stand right now, Rice, Brown and Justin Watson are the team's top three receivers, with Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney behind them. The 26-year-old Brown, the former 25th overall pick in 2019 by the Cardinals out of Oklahoma, had two disappointing seasons in the desert in which he played in just 26 games due to injuries. But if he can stay healthy in 2024 and Rice faces a suspension, he could be a real value pick in fantasy drafts.