Commanders Fans: Chubby Deebo won’t save you

On Saturday, the Washington Commanders pulled off the first trade of the NFL offseason, landing WR Deebo Samuel for a fifth-round pick.

Deebo gets a fresh start with the Commanders

49ers trading WR Deebo Samuel to the Commanders for a 5th-round pick. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/V5hiStDf66

— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025

On the surface, this looks like a great trade for Washington. A fifth-round pick for Deebo — I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the move. However, this is not going to get them over the hump. Because frankly, Deebo isn’t as good as most people think he is.

He’s had one 1,000-yard receiving season since entering the league in 2019. In 2021, he racked up 1,400+ receiving yards. Since then, he hasn’t even hit 900 yards in a season.

Deebo isn’t just a receiving threat, though. He’s used in all facets of the game. But even when you look at his total yards from scrimmage, it’s really not that impressive. He has two 1,000-yards from scrimmage seasons under his belt — 2021 and 2023.

Last year was one of his worst statistical seasons to date, accumulating just 806 yards from scrimmage, his worst output since his injury riddled 2020 season. He suited up for 15 games last season and didn’t come close to 1,000 yards through the air, finishing the season with 670 yards receiving.

Not to mention, this boy is looking a little chubby. Remember this picture of him in an Eagles jersey at the Super Bowl? Homie put on a few lbs.

Jonathan Mingo: traded for a Round 4 pick

Fat Deebo Samuel: traded for a Round 5 pick pic.twitter.com/6o6ke4VomN

— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) March 1, 2025

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If you’re a Commanders fan, you have to ask yourself — does this trade really move the needle for us?

The Commanders’ WR2 last season, Olamide Zaccheaus, pretty much matched Deebo’s output.

• Zaccheaus’ 2024 Stats: 45 receptions, 506 yards, 3 touchdowns
• Deebo’s 2024 Stats: 51 receptions, 670 yards, 3 touchdowns.

Washington is getting the same level of production at WR2 — the only difference is the name and the price tag. Deebo Samuel’s 2025 cap hit is $15.8 million, per Spotrac, while Olamide Zaccheaus, who is set to become a free agent, had a cap hit of just $1.13 million last season. Essentially, the Commanders are paying an extra $14 million for six more catches and about 150 additional yards.

That doesn’t seem like great team-building to me. But then again, I’m just an Eagles fan who watches Howie Roseman work magic every offseason — so what do I know?

The reality is, this move doesn’t make Washington any more of a championship contender than they already were. They still have plenty of cap space to work with and will likely be active once free agency begins. But if this move is any indication, they might be spending that money in all the wrong places.