Deebo went from over 1400 yards and 18.3 yards per catch in 2021 to 632 yards and 11.3 yards per catch in 2022. Being in the 49er market we get all their games aired here. I've seen quite a few of his games.
To be honest, he didn't quite look the same last year as he did the year before. I didn't see the same explosiveness. Maybe he was battling injuries? He played a couple less games last year.
Or maybe he's already on the decline. If he doesn't get those yards after catch he used to, he becomes a very average receiver. A very high paid average receiver. We'll see how things play out for him this year. But I don't see him having another season like 2021.
Agree 100%. He might not even be an “average” WR. He doesn’t run a very diverse route tree. He is, however, used as a diverse weapon. Getting somebody that big and fast in space can be a headache for defenses.
When he starts to lose that stampeding bruiser affect, he will become an overpaid albatross for the 9ers. SJ39 used to be one of the highest producing YAC (yards after contact) players in the league. When THAT number started to drop…so went his career. He couldn’t intimidate players into “business decisions” as frequently.
Bottom line:
The 9ers are damn fortunate for not having to pay a real QB salary right now; otherwise, that deebo contract would be a lot more concerning when FA hits after this season. What really sucks is it will allow them to re-sign bosa without having to make too many hard collateral decisions.
Edit:
Oops. I just saw your second post, basically saying everything I just did in this one.