Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins' Top NFL Landing Spots After OBJ to Dolphins

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Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Tee Higgins' Top NFL Landing Spots After OBJ to Dolphins

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A big-name wide receiver went off the free agent market Friday as Odell Beckham Jr. reached a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, per ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.

Other free agent wide receivers (e.g. Tyler Boyd, Michael Thomas) remain available, but a trio of stars have been talked about in trade rumors and speculation all offseason in the San Francisco 49ers' Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk and the Cincinnati Bengals' Tee Higgins.

Talking about their top landing spots comes with a few caveats.

First, the draft has come and gone without them moving.

Second, as it pertains to Samuel and Aiyuk, 49ers general manager John Lynch told ESPN's Pat McAfee "we're past that now" regarding any trade discussions on the two.

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News also said that not dealing Aiyuk or Samuel during the draft "almost assures their return this season, barring unforeseen drama internally or another team's desperation before the Nov. 5 deadline."

The franchise-tagged Higgins is a little more complicated. While he's requested a trade in search of a long-term deal, he said last month that he anticipates playing for the Bengals in 2024. Paul Dehner Jr. of the Athletic also reported in April that the Bengals are "resolute on having Higgins return this season in an attempt to win the Super Bowl."

What's this all mean? Chances are all three players remain with their teams in 2024. But this is the NFL, where chaos sometimes reigns and trades appear seemingly out of thin air sometimes (e.g. Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears).

So with all that in mind, here's a look at the top potential landing spots for each wide receiver. In this case, we're looking at spots that would be a good match between the player and the team, for various reasons (salary cap space for a big contract, reuniting with old connections, opportunities for new teams to vastly improve offense under young quarterbacks, etc.).

Deebo Samuel: New England Patriots

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The New England Patriots' interest in Deebo Samuel was made known prior to the draft via multiple sources:

JosinaAnderson @JosinaAnderson

I'm told the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Patriots?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Patriots</a> had preliminary trade discussions on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#49ers</a> WR Deebo Samuel prior to the NFL Draft, per source. <br><br>In general, when teams explore potential transactions with other clubs, finding middle ground on compensation can be challenging. There are always many… <a href="https://t.co/bOXi1GtcNJ">pic.twitter.com/bOXi1GtcNJ</a>

Mike Giardi @MikeGiardi

Lot of talk about Brandon Aiyuk possibly being moved, but league sources indicate Deebo Samuel is more likely to be traded, and that two of the teams at the top of round two - Buffalo and New England - have interest in the player.

Nothing came to fruition, and the Patriots ended up taking wide receivers in the second round (Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk) and fourth round (UCF's Javon Baker) of the NFL draft.

And now it appears a Pats' trade for either Aiyuk or Samuel is "unlikely," per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

"I would say it's unlikely," Breer said Thursday on NBC Sports Boston's Arbella Early Edition (h/t Jordan Daly). "I think what made things more difficult was the contracts that were signed by Amon Ra St. Brown, $28 million a year -- A.J. Brown, $32 million a year -- you're not just talking about draft pick compensation now, you're talking about something on the other end of it, which is a massive, massive contract."

That may be so, but if things change this offseason (or if the Pats are still interested next offseason), then Samuel has to be considered. Last year's New England offense lacked explosive plays en route to finishing second-last in the NFL in scoring. The Pats sorely need dynamic and uber-athletic weapons, and the versatile Samuel fits the bill.

Plus, the Pats have a ton of cap space to take on Samuel, who has two years left on a three-year, $71.5 million extension. They could also sign him to a longer-term extension if they'd like.

Samuel would also be a huge help for a young quarterback in Drake Maye, who will soon be handed the keys to the franchise whenever the No. 3 overall draft pick is officially made QB1.

Brandon Aiyuk: Washington Commanders

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There's an obvious connection here, with Aiyuk's ex-Arizona State teammate, quarterback Jayden Daniels, now on the Commanders with the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft. In addition, former 49ers front office executive Adam Peters is now Washington's general manager.

There's also this report from ESPN's John Keim:

"One source said San Francisco receiver Brandon Aiyuk, a close friend of Daniels', sang his pal's praises to Peters. And San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan, with whom Peters worked for seven years, also gave Daniels a glowing review."

The Commanders have a ton of cap space to burn (second-most in the NFL in 2024, third-most in the NFL in 2025), per Over the Cap. Why not reunite Aiyuk with Daniels and help create a more dynamic and explosive offense in Washington? Plus, it could only help Daniels' development as he learns the NFL ropes.

Aiyuk could be a co-WR1 alongside star Terry McLaurin. That would push Jahan Dotson down the depth chart a bit, but it would also give Washington a far deeper wideout room, especially with rookie wideout Luke McCaffrey now aboard as the slot man.

Tee Higgins: Tennessee Titans

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Yes, the Titans signed Calvin Ridley to a $92 million deal, but Tennessee needs some reinforcements at the position.

First, DeAndre Hopkins is entering a contract year, so this could be it for the superstar in Nashville.

Second, 2022 first-rounder Treylon Burks' tenure in Tennessee has been a struggle (49 catches, 665 yards, one touchdown in 22 games). It's certainly possible that he rebounds, and he has the talent to do so, but he's notably been less productive at times than other less-heralded wideouts on the depth chart when he plays.

Higgins could be a long-term answer at wideout in Tennessee. He'd reunite with former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, now the Titans' head coach. Higgins would also presumably assume WR1 (or co-WR1) duties with Ridley in 2025 and beyond presuming Hopkins walks.

Ultimately, the Titans' offense has experienced a huge makeover in recent years, with running back Derrick Henry and wideout A.J. Brown long gone now. Adding some new weapons for young quarterback Will Levis is a must, and Higgins could be an answer here.