Key Points
- CBS Sports has named Deebo Samuel as an “ideal fit” for the Miami Dolphins in 2026 free agency, according to Tyler Sullivan.
- The assessment comes after Miami drafted three wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft, but CBS Sports suggested those rookies are not guaranteed to make an immediate impact.
- Samuel played one season for the Washington Commanders in 2025 after arriving in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers before the season.
- His 2025 production included 72 receptions for 727 receiving yards and five touchdowns, with additional rushing value.
- Reports also indicate Samuel is expected to enter free agency, with some coverage suggesting he is unlikely to return to Washington.
- Washington’s offence was also affected by injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin, which limited the Commanders’ ability to fully maximise Samuel’s role.
Washington (Evening Washington News) May 9, 2026 – From the opening of the off-season discussion, the focus has shifted to whether Samuel’s next stop could be Miami rather than Washington. As reported by Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports, the Dolphins had a “massive hole at receiver” entering the 2026 NFL Draft, and although they selected three wideouts, Sullivan argued the additions did not guarantee immediate help for the passing game.
Sullivan said Samuel could “fit the bill” as a veteran presence because he remains a productive receiver despite being in his age-30 season and carrying significant wear from his career workload. That framing has made Miami one of the most discussed destinations for Samuel as free agency approaches.
What did CBS Sports say?
As reported by Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports, the Dolphins’ need for an experienced receiver was the main reason Samuel was placed on the list of top remaining free agents and labelled an ideal fit. Sullivan wrote that Miami came away from the draft with three receivers, including Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr., but described them as third- and fifth-round additions rather than immediate solutions.
Sullivan also noted that Samuel’s 72 receptions in 2025 were the second-highest total of his career, underlining that he still offered reliable production. The argument was not that Samuel is at his peak, but that he could still stabilise a receiver room that needs proven help.
How did Samuel perform in Washington?
Samuel’s only season with the Commanders produced solid numbers, even though the team’s wider offensive context was unstable. PFF’s season summary lists him with 72 catches on 99 targets for 727 receiving yards and five touchdowns, alongside 17 rushing attempts for 75 yards and one score.
ESPN’s season statistics page shows the same receiving line for 2025, confirming the volume he generated for Washington. His role was not limited to conventional receiver work, because The Athletic reported in his Week 1 debut that he was used as a runner, returner and receiver, and he scored a 19-yard rushing touchdown in that game.
Why might Washington not keep him?
The main obstacle appears to be cost. Samuel earned 17 million dollars in 2025 on a reworked deal, and the article says his market projection is a two-year contract worth about 31 million dollars. On that basis, Washington may view a return as expensive for a player who is about to enter his age-30 season.
There is also reporting suggesting the Commanders may not expect him back. Yahoo Sports reported in February 2026 that Samuel was facing free agency after one season in Washington, while SI.com later reported that an insider believed he would not suit up for the Commanders in 2026. That does not make a return impossible, but it does suggest the current expectation is that he will test the market.
Could a Commanders return still happen?
There is still a possible path for Washington if the market softens. The Heavy article says the Commanders could theoretically pursue Samuel on a shorter, lower-cost deal if his asking price falls closer to the contract range other teams have been willing to offer for veteran receivers.
The piece points to Minnesota’s one-year, 8 million dollar deal for Jauan Jennings as a reference point for the kind of structure Washington might consider, though that remains speculative. In practical terms, the Commanders would likely need Samuel to accept a deal that reflects his age, workload and market uncertainty.
What happened in Washington last season?
The 2025 season in Washington was shaped by injuries to key players around Samuel. ESPN reported that Jayden Daniels’ second season ended early after he aggravated a dislocated left elbow, and the Commanders later shut him down for the rest of the season.
Terry McLaurin also dealt with injuries, with Yahoo Sports and ESPN reporting groin and quad issues that limited his availability at different points. That context matters because Samuel was brought in to help a passing attack that rarely had its full supporting cast on the field at the same time.
Background of development
Samuel joined Washington before the 2025 season in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers, where the Commanders gave up a fifth-round pick to add him as a potential finishing piece for a contender. His arrival was also shaped by questions over his 2024 conditioning and motivation, which he answered by reporting fit and producing immediately in Washington.
That background explains why the current Dolphins link has gained traction. Samuel showed in Washington that he can still produce as a multi-use offensive weapon, but the combination of age, contract value and team needs means his next move will likely be decided by how the market develops rather than by fit alone.
Prediction: What could this mean for fans?
For Commanders fans, the most likely outcome is that Samuel leaves unless Washington is willing to meet a deal closer to the lower end of his market value. If he departs, the team would need to replace his touches with younger or cheaper receiver options while continuing to build around Daniels and McLaurin when healthy.
For Dolphins fans, Samuel would bring proven production, versatility and veteran experience to a receiver room that CBS Sports described as unsettled after the draft. If Miami signs him, the move could give the offence an immediate short-term boost while the club continues to evaluate its younger receivers.
