Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or Miles Sanders

Wednesday, May 1, 2:04 PM

The San Francisco 49ers were engaged in trade talks involving wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel leading up to the draft, but the team elected not to trade either of their star receivers, with all signs pointing toward both being on the 2024 roster. Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the assumption was that he'd be the odd man out after the team paid Samuel and other star players. Samuel still has two years left on the deal he signed before the 2022 season. San Fran has been to at least the NFC Championship game in four of the last five seasons, and losing Aiyuk or Samuel would almost certainly make the team worse in 2024. The 49ers can afford to keep both this year, but an Aiyuk extension would likely reduce his $14.124 million salary cap number for 2024. Samuel's fantasy value would have likely taken a hit with a move out of the Bay Area.

Sunday, January 7, 5:29 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders carried the ball three times for 18 yards and was not targeted in a 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18. It marks a fitting end for a disappointing season for Sanders, who was signed to a four-year, $25.4 million contract last offseason but lost his job to Chuba Hubbard halfway through the year. He has a dead cap value of $11 million so he's likely to be back with the Panthers in 2024, although in what capacity remains to be seen.