Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 32

As he continues to seek a new contract, 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is sitting out practice. But head coach Kyle Shanahan sounds confident things are going to get resolved.

Shanahan confirmed this morning that Samuel will not practice today, while adding that contract negotiations are ongoing.

Shanahan was quoted as saying Deebo and the team are in a good place despite him not practicing. As the story added, Samuel was one of the best receivers in the NFL last season while also contributing as a running back, but there were reports that Samuel wasn’t happy with the way he was being used in Shanahan’s offense. A new contract may make Samuel happy, but it’s not done yet.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan had this to say about a potential contract with WR Deebo Samuel:

"What I do know is: I'm not worried about it not getting done," said Shanahan. "I feel very confident that Deebo's going to be on our team this year, and he's going to be for many years after. I do believe he'll get a deal. I know that they're working on it right now."

Samuel, who initially requested a trade that the team did not honor, has since reported to mandatory minicamp and is expected on the field for training camp, the story said.

Raheem Mostert himself has reported that he has been cleared from his knee injury that kept him out of 99% of the 2021 season.

Related Players: Chase Edmonds, Sony Michel

Mostert is an explosive threat with the ball in his hands but has a long, checkered history with injuries and is heading into his year-30 season. The Chase Edmonds lead-back role is not threatened by the news of Mostert's healthy diagnosis, though this does open the door for late-round consideration if the former 49er is truly ready to go. He has familiarity with new head coach Mike McDaniel and could be in store for some spike weeks, even if he is relegated to a lesser role with Edmonds in town.

After recording zero catches his rookie season in Dallas, WR Simi Fehoko has spent the offseason in Dallas. He has spent time with Dak Prescott and feels he offers something that the WR room may lack due to offseason moves and injuries. "Being the bigger, taller and I guess heavier receiver to be able to have that blend of speed I feel like adding that with learning from the route runner from [Noah Brown] or CeeDee, I feel like it's only just going to get better," Fehoko said. "I feel like that is something I bring to the table."

"I ended up staying here and I was able to work with Dak a little bit through the offseason," Fehoko said. "It's been smooth for me just being able to deal with them and be here the whole offseason."

Fehoko has a leg-up on rookies such as Jalen Tolbert by being in the Cowboys system for a season, but if he wants to be irreplaceable he has to top players with higher draft capital (Tolbert) and force out veterans such as James Washington. Fehoko could be an intriguing dynasty player if his time in Dallas bares fruit.

In Popper's post-draft look at the Chargers' depth chart, he notably listed rookie RB Isaiah Spiller ahead of incumbents Larry Rountree III and Joshua Kelley. "Finding a reliable backup behind Ekeler was a priority for general manager Tom Telesco and coach Brandon Staley this offseason, and they think they found that player in Spiller," wrote Popper.

Spiller has similar draft capital than Kelley (4th) and higher capital than Rountree (6th), and is arguably a better pass catcher than both heading into training camp. Spiller appears to be a dynasty player to target should Ekeler get hurt and has later-round value in redraft so long as he does not stumble out the gate.

The Miami Dolphins and RB Sony Michel have agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million deal.

Related Players: Chase Edmonds, Salvon Ahmed, Myles Gaskin

Miami is Baltimore south with the stable of running backs on the roster. Michel should be on the roster bubble with Edmonds signing during the offseason and Gaskin still hanging around.

The Atlanta Falcons have signed QB Marcus Mariota to a two-year deal.

Related Player: Feleipe Franks

Shortly after trading Matt Ryan, the Falcons add Mariota. The former Raider and Titan rejoins Arthur Smith in Atlanta. The two worked together in Tennessee. As of today, Mariota has little competition at quarterback, but that could change once the NFL Draft starts.

The Miami Dolphins have signed RB Raheem Mostert to a one-year deal.

Related Players: Chase Edmonds, Myles Gaskin

The Dolphins running back situation looks the same as in San Francisco. Imagine that.

Mostert is explosive when healthy but once again finds himself in a crowded backfield.

The Miami Dolphins have added RB Chase Edmonds on a two-year deal.

Related Player: Myles Gaskin

Edmonds looks to be the back that Gaskin was supposed to be - a three-down back that can be trusted more often than not. Edmonds should be the lead back in Miami and fend off Gaskin more than he did James Conner in Arizona.

TE Zach Ertz is staying with Arizona, signing a three-year deal.

Ertz was a strong play with Kyler Murray and can continue to be a TE1-type player as long as he stays on the field.