There were plenty of hints the San Francisco 49ers would be attracted to South Carolina wide receiver Tyshun “Deebo” Samuel in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The Niners parted ways with their previous physical receiving threat, Pierre Garçon, during the offseason, which left a void for the team’s primary X receiver. And 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who was coaching the South squad at the 2019 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, had a first-hand chance to coach the 5-foot-11, 214-pound Samuel during practices.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco also took notice, detailing Samuel’s keen red-zone footwork, which was on display in Mobile, too.