Deebo Samuel's historic season for the 49ers was a combination mostly influenced by a skill set beyond unique, with a bit of necessity sprinkled in.
He didn't have a single rushing attempt in the season opener. His first rushing touchdown wasn't until Week 5 when he had one carry for a 13-yard TD against the Arizona Cardinals. Through Week 9, Samuel had just six rushing attempts for 22 yards and the one TD.
Listed as a wide receiver, Samuel first started transitioning into his self-proclaimed position of wide-back in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Rams, when he turned five carries into 36 yards and a touchdown. From that Week 10 win over the Rams through the 49ers' loss to them in the NFC Championship Game, Samuel had 80 carries for 480 yards and eight rushing touchdowns in an 11-game span.
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Samuel averaged 43.6 rushing yards per game over that time and 6.0 yards per carry.
To no surprise, he said Monday that he's all-in on continuing to be both a receiver and running back next season for the 49ers.
"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine with it," Samuel said. "Like I stated all year long, I'm down for whatever to help this team win in every aspect."
His coach expects a very similar role in 2022 as well. He also knows there has to be some caution, though, there is only one Deebo Samuel.
San Francisco 49ers
“Oh, yeah, very similar," Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. "We have to be careful with that. Running back is different, but he's also built like a running back and runs like a running back. And he just happens to do stuff at receiver also that is really good. If you look at his body, he looks more like a running back.
"But man, we never want to stop using him at receiver and just the threat that he can be a running back at any time is a huge advantage for your team. And it's a huge advantage for Deebo too."
The question is, can Samuel's body withstand this kind of workload for much longer?
There's no doubt that the 26-year-old is built more like a running back than a receiver. He's listed at 6-feet and 215 pounds, and looks even thicker than that sounds. Just from the eye test he's a nightmare for an opposing defender.
From Week 10 through Week 12, Samuel ran for 181 yards on 19 carries. He scored four rushing TDs in three games and averaged 9.5 yards per carry. That eye-opening three-game stretch was then put on pause.
Samuel missed the 49ers' 30-23 Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks with a strained groin. As a rookie, he missed one game and he was held to only seven last season. The 49ers' offense is unquestionably better when the ball is in Deebo's hands. They also can't run their prized offensive weapon into the ground, and that's especially true with the kind of massive contract they likely are about to hand him.
Raheem Mostert, the 49ers' starting running back to open the season, lasted only two carries before his year came to an end in Week 1. Jeff Wilson Jr. played in only nine games and had 79 carries. The last time he touched the ball on offense was Week 16. JaMychal Hasty played 11 games and only received 16 carries. Trey Sermon, who the 49ers traded up for in the third round of last year's draft, was limited to nine games and 41 carries.
Even Elijah Mitchell, who became the 49ers' starting running back, missed six regular-season games to injuries.
Shanahan expects more from his running back group next season. He also knows Samuel's talent carrying the rock makes the 49ers that much better. Him and his star wide-back are on the same page there.
"I also think we get some more backs too, you can balance that all out, but we all know how good Deebo is at it and the defense does too," Shanahan said.
Before he could even answer a question about a possible contract extension for Deebo, general manager John Lych sent praise Samuel's way for a record-breaking campaign in his third year as a pro.
"First of all, what a spectacular season," Lynch said. "I think a lot's made of the creativity, the innovation, which I think was supreme in finding a way to feature one of our best players. I think -- not that it's a sacrifice -- but not a lot of players necessarily would buy in. All Deebo wants to do is win.
"I think his skill set ... the will is just the thing that I marvel at and admire so much. I think first of all, paying respect to what he brings to us and the way he approaches the game. He's a guy I sure wish I had the opportunity to play with and we're fortunate to have him."
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Deebo wants the ball whenever his team needs a big play. He's ready to put the 49ers on his back. It's what allowed him to become a playground hero against the game's greatest players.
But asking him to produce another season like he did in 2021, plus the playoffs, seems unfair. Over 19 games, he had more than 2,000 yards -- 1,569 receiving yards and 502 rushing yards -- plus 17 touchdowns: Seven as a receiver, nine as a running back and one passing the ball. Finding balance is the best solution.
The 49ers will expect even more out of Mitchell in his second season, and they'll need a better season from Sermon. Quarterback Trey Lance also will have a bigger impact on the ground game. Mostert and Wilson both are free agents, and Hasty is an exclusive rights free agent.
Samuel will be part of the rotation, just possibly with some caution tape on some games and then the gate will be wide open in others.
Let's be real, there's a long list of reasons that make Samuel a true one of one. There also are many reasons why the 49ers have to make sure a season close to this can be replicated by him. Proceed with caution and let your superstar be a superstar.
Not a bad problem to have.