# John Middlekauff: Middlekauff says Deebo Samuel's departure from San Francisco is now effectively official — he will not be a 49er in 2025 — and pegs his trade value at only a fifth- or sixth-round pick, with a real chance the team simply has to cut him.

**Claimed:** Feb 27, 2025
**Pundit:** John Middlekauff — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/pundits/john-middlekauff
**Outlet:** The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/outlets/the-herd-with-colin-cowherd-podcast
**How it reached us:** said on air or in an interview
**Original:** https://omny.fm/shows/3-and-out-with-john-middlekauff/3-out-combine-update-sean-mcvay-speaks-whats-going

One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.

The call scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess at the same calls.

> So at Deebo Samuel, which all signs pointed to. It's unofficial now will not be a forty nine er in twenty twenty five.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **Deebo Samuel Sr. to move**
  - Kind: Trade and Signing Calls · About: Deebo Samuel Sr.
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess

## Who this take is about

- Deebo Samuel Sr. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/deebo-samuel-sr

## What others said about the same people

- Brian Peacock on Deebo Samuel Sr.: Peacock lays out his projected 53-man roster for the 49ers, position by position: three specialists, three quarterbacks (including Curtis Rourke), five running backs, six receivers (cutting Christian Kirk), three tight ends (cutting Braden Willis), nine offensive linemen, ten defensive linemen (with Mykel Williams on PUP), five linebackers, six cornerbacks and four safeties. He also predicts a new player will take center snaps in preseason week three. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/62e9aad7-105c-45a0-95b3-3b43b64603ae (scored 100)
- Eric Crocker on Deebo Samuel Sr.: Crocker argues the 49ers must re-sign Deebo Samuel, framing him as not a No. 1 receiver at this stage, and says he'd trade a second-round pick for Mac Jones if he were Atlanta. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/e6f0dbb0-4d9e-41bf-b7f7-2c59137074e4 (scored 91.67)
- Gregg Rosenthal on Deebo Samuel Sr.: Gregg Rosenthal predicted both Ohio State running backs go in the top 50, that Cam Ward has a decent chance to go No. 1 overall and won't fall past the first couple of picks, that Shedeur Sanders is a tier below him, that Jackson Dart won't be drafted much higher than Jalen Hurts' late-second slot, that Brady Cook won't be drafted, and that DeVante Adams is somewhat likely to be cut by the Jets. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/89637841-0be4-414d-9dd0-f380cb679557 (scored 91.67)
- Jose Sanchez on Deebo Samuel Sr.: With rookie De'Zhaun Stribling out following ankle surgery, Sanchez expects Deebo Samuel to lead the 49ers' receiving corps, followed by Demarcus Robinson, with Jacob Cowing the most likely player to seize the remaining role and see a big increase in playing time starting in Week 2 against Miami. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/7a5d0075-0686-474f-8660-62748c12e47b (not settled)
- Parker Hurley on Deebo Samuel Sr.: Previewing the 49ers' 2026 offense, Hurley lays out the expected receiver pecking order — Mike Evans first, Deebo Samuel second, Demarcus Robinson third in Week 1 — and says fourth-round rookie Carver Willis will start at left guard in Week 1. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/551dfebc-46cf-42e5-acf2-ea8b83ecef8e (not settled)
- Derek Brown on Deebo Samuel Sr.: Brown likes Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel, Denzel Boston, Jalen Nailor and Keenan Allen as sleeper values, expects Boston to potentially lead Cleveland's receivers, and thinks Nailor becomes the Raiders' clear No. 2 passing-game option behind Brock Bowers. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/d62fa35a-2ecf-4a7f-9715-00a190f8832a (not settled)

## More trade and signing calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Bryan DeArdo on Darius Slayton: A CBS Sports piece on the Giants releasing Darius Slayton predicts he will be signed by another NFL team fairly quickly, and lists possible landing spots without committing to one. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/3f1834cd-6520-4f07-9efc-4060a6b5cb1c (scored 100)
- Noah Strackbein on Darius Slayton: Strackbein says Pittsburgh views Roman Wilson as its No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., but argues the Steelers should add released Giants veteran Darius Slayton as insurance, expecting Slayton to sign cheaply on a veteran-minimum deal, and refers to 2026 as Aaron Rodgers' final season. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c6348972-c1bf-48f1-ba03-d5c2ef44561a (scored 100)
- Patricia Traina on Darius Slayton: Traina writes that the Giants may make more trades before the roster cutdown and names the players she sees as the most likely candidates to be dealt: kicker Ben Sauls, one of receivers Darius Slayton or Darnell Mooney, offensive lineman Jake Kubas, and linebacker Darius Muasau. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/970d968f-3133-436c-a8a6-114412a9f178 (scored 100)
- Devon Platana on Johnny Hekker: With punter Brett Thorson dealing with a hamstring injury, Platana suggests the Vikings have a decent chance of bringing back veteran free-agent punter Johnny Hekker as a familiar fill-in. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/eafcb668-aa60-42b1-8d77-ebdd33d0c2af (scored 100)
- Greg Auman on Will Levis: Auman predicts that Will Levis, released by Tennessee, will almost certainly be claimed on waivers by another team. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/55b7732a-4131-430b-adbf-a33c60c47dc0 (scored 100)
- John Maakaron on Joe Bachie: Maakaron suggests several Lions players could be cut and land on other rosters: linebacker Joe Bachie, defensive linemen Ben Stille and Chris Smith, and running back Sione Vaki. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/6cc7cac4-1a70-4e0a-a762-8c280319c3af (scored 100)

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Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

Full method: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/methodology

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