1. Finally, Fills Key Need

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan were both hired in 2017. Since taking over the team, they have been in search of receivers. Samuel is the only one that has stuck in their many efforts of filling a need.

Emmanuel Sanders spent a little over half a season in San Francisco in 2019. He signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in the offseason. This leaves Samuel as the 49ers’ No. 1 option at wide receiver. In 2017, the 49ers drafted Trent Taylor in the fifth round. The very next year they used a second round pick in Dante Pettis and a seventh round pick on Richie James. In 2019, the 49ers drafted Samuel and Jalen Hurd with back-to-back picks. Finally, Brandon Aiyuk was a first round pick in 2020 followed by Jauan Jennings in the seventh.

What does all this mean? It shows that Shanahan and Lynch have been desperately searching for a wide receiver since taking over. Samuel is the only one who has emerged right away. Pettis and Kendrick Bourne have shown promise but have not reached that level yet. Aiyuk will see significant playing time as a rookie.

The 49ers have plenty of young talent but they need that proven, No. 1 star receiver. That is Hilton. At 30 years old, Hilton has plenty left in the tank and it would be a smart move for the 49ers to sign him to a deal next offseason.