Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or Nico Collins

Monday, February 10, 6:11 PM

The San Francisco 49ers gave wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. permission to seek a trade this offseason. Samuel is under contract for one more season, and his deal includes a $15 million option bonus. Along with his drop in production in 2024, it could suppress Samuel's trade market, but NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco lists the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans as a few teams that could be interested in acquiring Samuel from the Niners. The 29-year-old former second-rounder had career-lows of 3.4 catches and 44.7 receiving yards per game in 15 contests in 2024, with his per-rush average also dropping to 3.2 yards. Although Samuel is much more of an injury risk with declining production, he does have 42 total TDs in six NFL seasons and will draw interest from receiver-needy teams as a trade target.

Saturday, January 18, 7:53 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins finished his team's Divisional Round playoff defeat at Kansas City with five catches on eight targets for 81 yards, a decent day considering Houston's considerable challenges in the passing game. The Texans surrendered eight sacks and only completed 19 passes as quarterback C.J. Stroud spent most of the afternoon under siege. The 25-year-old receiver further cemented his status as a No. 1 option in 2024, but by the end of the season, didn't have much support with compatriots Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) out for the year. He figures to be part of the long-term plan for Houston, which ends the season in the Divisional Round for the second straight year.