The San Francisco 49ers will be searching for additional wide receiver help this offseason after moving on from veteran Deebo Samuel. Last week, the 49ers traded Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
With Samuel out of the picture, San Francisco’s top-three receivers heading into next season are Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall. However, Aiyuk is rehabbing from a season-ending knee injury, meaning the 49ers must explore every avenue for more WR help.
Luckily enough for the 49ers, the perfect Deebo Samuel replacement is available in free agency, and this player would be an upgrade from a talent and production standpoint. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the New York Jets have released All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.
The #Jets have now officially released big-name WR Davante Adams. https://t.co/6DJHxQ0X6J
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2025
Adams was acquired ahead of the trade deadline this past season from the Las Vegas Raiders. The Jets hoped Adams would bring a spark to the Jets’ offense with QB Aaron Rodgers, but that was not the case.
In 11 games with the Jets, the 32-year-old wide receiver had 67 receptions (114 targets) for 854 yards and seven touchdowns. However, it didn’t lead to many wins as the Jets finished the 2024 season with a disappointing 5-12 record.
The former Jets wide receiver will look for his next opportunity over the next few weeks, and the 49ers could be the perfect option for Adams. Ian Rapoport also reported on Tuesday that the “pull of being on the West Coast is very real” when it comes to Adams.
While the assumption has been that Davante Adams wants to play with Aaron Rodgers (and historically, that's been the plan), my understanding is the pull of being on the West Coast is very real. https://t.co/FpUrl43vPh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2025
Among the west coast teams that have cap space and could contend for the playoffs to add Adams are the 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers. If the 49ers were to sign Adams, it would put them back in the conversation as one of the top teams in the NFC.
The veteran wideout has had five-straight seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards, including this past season with the Jets and Raiders.
Adams can do a little bit of everything on the field, giving starting quarterback Brock Purdy a bona fide WR1 on the offense. A healthy Christian McCaffrey and Aiyuk, paired with George Kittle and Adams is a scary idea for opposing defenses.