Deebo Samuel Sr. is basically a human wrecking ball. You’ve seen the highlights. He’s the guy who catches a five-yard slant and somehow turns it into a 50-yard sprint while bouncing off three defenders like a pinball. Honestly, trying to pin down Deebo Samuel Sr. stats is a bit of a nightmare for traditional analysts because he doesn't just play wide receiver. He’s a "wide back"—a hybrid monster that broke the NFL's brain back in 2021 and has been keeping defensive coordinators awake at night ever since.
He’s currently suiting up for the Washington Commanders after a massive 2025 trade from the San Francisco 49ers. That change of scenery shifted his numbers in ways nobody really expected.
The 2025 Season: A New Chapter in Washington
Everyone thought leaving Kyle Shanahan’s system would tank his production. It didn’t. In 2025, Samuel finished the regular season with 72 receptions on 99 targets. That’s actually his highest catch total since his legendary 2021 All-Pro run. He put up 727 receiving yards and found the end zone five times through the air.
But here’s where it gets weird.
The rushing volume dropped. In Washington, he only had 17 carries for 75 yards. Compare that to his 2021 peak where he had 59 carries and eight rushing touchdowns. It’s a different vibe now. He’s 30. The "Wide Back" role is punishing on the body, and the Commanders used him more as a traditional chain-mover.
He still has that dog in him, though. On Christmas Day 2025 against the Cowboys, he racked up 93 scrimmage yards. He’s still the king of the screen pass. PFF noted he ran a league-high 43 screens in 2025. Basically, if you get him the ball in space, he’s still going to make someone look silly.
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Why His Efficiency Numbers Are Shifting
If you look closely at the Deebo Samuel Sr. stats from the last two years, you’ll see his average depth of target (aDOT) is way down. In 2025, it sat at a lowly 5.5 yards. That’s basically the "get the ball and run" zone.
He averaged 6.5 yards after catch (YAC) per reception last season. That was 6th best in the entire league for receivers with a significant workload. He isn’t beating guys deep with pure speed anymore—his 4.48 forty-yard dash from the 2019 combine is a few years in the rearview—but he’s stronger than almost any cornerback trying to tackle him.
Breaking Down the Career Landmarks
To understand why Deebo is a future Hall of Fame candidate (or at least a very heated debate), you have to look at the "20/20" club.
Samuel is the only wide receiver in NFL history to record at least 20 receiving touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns in his career. Think about that. Not Tyreek Hill. Not Cordarrelle Patterson. Just Deebo.
- Career Receptions: 406
- Career Receiving Yards: 5,519
- Career Rushing Touchdowns: 21
- Career Receiving Touchdowns: 27
- Total Scrimmage Yards: 6,737
His 2021 season remains the gold standard. 1,405 receiving yards. 365 rushing yards. 14 total touchdowns. He averaged a ridiculous 18.2 yards per catch that year. You just don't see those kinds of numbers from a guy who also lines up in the I-formation.
The Playoff Performer
Stats aren't just for the regular season. Deebo has been a "playoff riser" for most of his career. In Super Bowl LIV, he rushed for 53 yards. That’s still a record for a wide receiver in the big game.
He’s played in 97 career games, starting 85 of them. When the lights get bright, the 49ers used to just feed him until the wheels came off. Unfortunately, the wheels did come off a few times.
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The Injury Factor: What the Stats Don't Tell You
You can’t talk about Deebo Samuel Sr. stats without mentioning the training room. His physical style has a cost. He’s dealt with a broken fibula in college, a "Jones fracture" in his foot in 2020, and a scary bout of pneumonia in late 2024 that had him hospitalized with fluid in his lungs.
In 2025, he missed time with a heel injury and an illness, but he still managed to play 16 games. That’s a win.
His durability is always the "X-factor" for fantasy owners and coaches alike. When he’s at 100%, he’s a top-10 offensive weapon. When he’s at 80%, he’s a decoy who still scares the crap out of safeties.
Looking Toward 2026 and Beyond
Deebo enters the 2026 offseason as an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA). He’s earned over $82 million in his career. His 2025 contract with Washington was a one-year deal worth about $17.5 million.
So, what’s next?
The market for a 30-year-old power receiver is tricky. Teams want the YAC, but they fear the "cliff." If he stays in a system that prioritizes short-area separation and screens, he could easily put up another 70-catch season. If a team tries to make him a "Z" receiver running deep posts, those numbers will crater.
Actionable Insights for Following Deebo in 2026:
- Watch the landing spot: If he signs with a team like the Dolphins or stays in a creative West Coast offense, his YAC stats will stay elite. Avoid him in "vertical" offenses.
- Monitor the "Touches" vs. "Targets": His value is highest when he gets 3–5 carries a game alongside his targets. If the rushing attempts stay at zero, his ceiling is capped.
- Check the 1st Down stats: In 2024 and 2025, he remained one of the best in the league at converting 3rd-and-short situations into first downs, regardless of whether he caught it or ran it.
He’s a unique piece of NFL history. Even as his role evolves into a more veteran, "possession-plus" style, the sheer impact of his career numbers ensures his legacy as the player who redefined what a wide receiver could be.