# 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.co/pundits/john-middlekauff
**Outlet:** The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast) — https://missedtakes.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.co/opinions/d62fa35a-2ecf-4a7f-9715-00a190f8832a (not settled)

## More trade and signing calls

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

- Adam Carlson on J.J. McCarthy: Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/65e3f9cf-c441-42a2-baaf-7cd3dbebafad (scored 100)
- Greg Auman on J.J. McCarthy: Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9b8eb78e-ddfa-4274-ac8f-17b069e6b87f (scored 100)
- Bucky Brooks on J.J. McCarthy: Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/10c3797b-f9e0-41ca-a2a3-5d765a242a79 (scored 100)
- Bryan DeArdo on J.J. McCarthy: Named several players as candidates to be traded before Sunday's cut deadline, including Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy, Cardinals edge Josh Sweat and Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1efd361e-309f-48ba-ab0a-28d77ff76942 (scored 100)
- Bryan DeArdo on J.J. McCarthy: A CBS Sports piece lists veterans it expects could be traded before the 53-man roster deadline, including quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (with Buffalo floated as a landing spot), J.J. McCarthy and Will Howard, plus Jerry Jeudy, Joey Porter Jr., Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, Josh Sweat, Kristian Fulton and Marist Liufau. It also says Mason Rudolph's and Drew Allar's roster spots in Pittsburgh are secure. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/bd269550-714b-4a52-b6e1-2ba079b58fef (scored 100)
- Matthew Coller on J.J. McCarthy: Coller argues J.J. McCarthy's development is far behind schedule and that he will likely end up needing a fresh start with another team rather than developing into the Vikings' answer at quarterback. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/9ffe221e-9c07-4fd5-9e59-a767ffbc691c (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.

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