Add Deebo Samuel to the list of 49ers who want an upgrade at safety. The 49ers’ second-year wide receiver tagged Adams in a post to his Instagram story, telling him to “come on the gang.”
Samuel is the second 49er to actively try and recruit Adams — who requested a trade from the Jets earlier this offseason. Left tackle Trent Williams tagged Adams in an Instagram photo of the offensive lineman signing his restructured contract with the 49ers. The tag was located on the 49ers logo on Williams’ hat.
This isn’t the first time 49ers players have gotten active on social media to recruit a player seeking a trade. Antonio Brown was a popular target for 49ers players, past and present, during his bid to get traded out of Pittsburgh. In that situation, the social media activity didn’t matter. General manager John Lynch said the 49ers never kicked tires on the receiver.
Adams may not need the additional luring. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the 49ers were one of seven teams Adams wanted to play for. San Francisco’s pass rush and Super Bowl run last year likely already worked as strong recruitment tools.
Unfortunately for Samuel, Williams and any other 49ers who want to share a uniform with Adams, the decision isn’t ultimately up to the safety. While he asked for a trade and has a list of teams he’d like to play for — the Jets have made no indication they’re willing to deal the former No. 6 overall pick. Additionally, they won’t be inclined to acquiesce to Adams’ list of preferred teams if a club not on that list gives them the best offer in a trade package.
From the 49ers’ perspective, it’s hard to believe that’s a trade they’ll make based on all the other maneuvers they’ve made the last couple offseasons. If they are going to pursue the safety, it’s something that will have been in the works before Samuel or any other player took to social media.
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