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    Jets Will Be 'Aggressive' If Deebo Samuel Trade with 49ers Presents Itself, GM Says

    Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVApril 21, 2022

    CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 12: San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) walks off the field after game against the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 12, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
    Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas won't stop looking for ways to improve the roster this offseason, and that might include a trade for San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel.

    "I can't get into specifics," general manager Joe Douglas told reporters Thursday. "Since coming here my job has been to get the team better. I'll do that any way that I can. ... If the right opportunity presents itself, we are going to be aggressive."

    Samuel confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Darlington he requested a trade from the 49ers. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Jets were one of the "teams to consider" in the event the 2021 All-Pro is moved.

    Few teams make more sense than New York.

    Field Yates @FieldYates

    There are three key elements in a Deebo Samuel trade (other than the 49ers' willingness): <br>- Need <br>- Draft capital to send back<br>- Financial flexibility for an extension<br><br>Factoring in all of those, no team feels better equipped IMO to make a push for a trade than the Jets.

    Brandon Marshall's 2015 Pro bowl season aside, the franchise has lacked a true No. 1 wideout for years. Laveranues Coles might be the last one who qualifies, and he left in 2008. The front office has wasted countless draft picks and spent millions of dollars to no avail.

    Jets Will Be 'Aggressive' If Deebo Samuel Trade with 49ers Presents Itself, GM Says
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    Samuel would be a massive upgrade for the passing game. Because of how San Francisco used him in the second half of last year, it was easy to overlook the fact the 26-year-old caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns. His 18.2 yards per reception were the highest in the league.

    While a chunk of Samuel's value derives from his versatility, he'd remain an impact player if another team deployed him as a more traditional wideout.

    There's obviously a level of risk in not only giving up valuable draft capital to land Samuel but also immediately giving him a massive extension.

    The Jets might be able to find good value with the No. 10 pick or in the second round when they're on the board at No. 35.

    Andrew Perloff @andrewperloff

    Would you rather give up a first-round pick and pay Deebo Samuel $25 million a year or draft Garrett Wilson/Drake London/Chris Olave/Jameson Williams and have 5 years of cost certainty? Asking for everyone sitting 10-20.

    Based on recent history, that's a bet Douglas may not want to make when the possibility of getting a ready-made Pro Bowler is right there.