Most of the NFL’s top free agents have signed new deals ahead of the 2026 season, but a handful of notable players still remain on the market.
In particular, there is a bevy of experienced receiver options still available, and Deebo Samuel is among the best.
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Samuel was traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Washington Commanders ahead of the 2025 NFL season and posted 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns across 16 games. The 30-year-old achieved that solid production despite playing just six games with Jayden Daniels, who was limited to seven starts due to injury.
Samuel has logged just one 1,000-yard receiving season in his career – he generated 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns during his All-Pro season in 2021 – but his hybrid skill-set has also allowed him to enjoy success as a runner. He has handled 219 carries for 1,218 yards and 21 touchdowns across his seven-year career.
So while Samuel remains unsigned, it stands to reason that a team will eventually look to add the hybrid weapon to its lineup. Here’s a look at some of the best potential fits for the 2019 second-round pick as he continues to wait for another NFL deal.
The Ravens could use a proven, No. 2 receiver across from Zay Flowers. They have been willing to add veteran receivers to the fold in recent seasons – just as they did with DeAndre Hopkins in 2025 – so perhaps Samuel could be next in line.
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Samuel’s ability to serve as an out-of-the-backfield pass-catcher could appeal to Baltimore, as Derrick Henry has only twice topped 20 receptions in a season during his 10-year NFL career.
The Raiders are poised to enter the 2026 NFL season with a young, inexperienced receiving corps, so it could behoove Las Vegas to add a proven commodity to the fold. Samuel’s thicker frame makes him a nice complement for the smaller, speedier Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor and it’s easy to imagine the 30-year-old quickly emerging as a safety valve for Fernando Mendoza.
Rashee Rice is once again dealing with legal troubles, so Kansas City might want to add some insurance behind him. Samuel would fit the bill, as he has the skill set needed to function in a similar role to Rice if needed.
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The Chiefs also lost Hollywood Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency and haven’t yet re-signed JuJu Smith-Schuster, so they need a No. 3 receiver to join Rice and Xavier Worthy anyway.
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John Harbaugh recently said it was “impossible to predict” when Malik Nabers will return from the torn ACL and meniscus he suffered in his right knee last year. If there’s any concern about him missing the start of the 2026 NFL season, the Giants could add another receiver to shore up their depth.
Odell Beckham Jr. has frequently been the veteran wideout tied to the Giants in free agent rumors, but Samuel would be a nice option as well. He would give New York’s multi-faceted, Cam Skattebo and Jaxson Dart-led rushing attack an intriguing layer.
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The Rams were heavily tied to first-round receivers during the 2026 NFL Draft but ultimately selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick. Could they still pursue an upgrade at receiver to join Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as they look to capitalize on 38-year-old Matthew Stafford’s remaining years?
Samuel would instantly give the Rams one of the NFL’s best receiving corps, as pairing his after-the-catch abilities with Nacua’s would be hard for any defense to guard.
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The Falcons added three notable receivers to their roster during the 2026 NFL offseason: Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus and third-round pick Zachariah Branch. Will any emerge as the team’s No. 2 receiver across from Drake London?
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If Atlanta isn’t confident in that happening, it could pursue a stopgap option such as Samuel for that role. That would provide Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa another consistent target, and one who can do a lot after the catch.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where will Deebo Samuel play in 2026? Ravens, Raiders among best fits
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