Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk's Best Landing Spots After 2024 NFL Draft

Wide receivers were in more demand than ever during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Seven wide receivers were drafted in the first round for the second time in NFL history, tying a record set in 2007.

The Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers all used a first-round pick to draft high-end receiver talent this weekend.

Here's a look at how that could impact the trade market for the 49ers' veteran wideouts this offseason.

Of the two veteran 49ers receivers, Samuel could be the most likely addition to San Francisco's trade block this offseason.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Saturday that his "understanding is that the Niners would prefer to move Samuel, not Aiyuk" after drafting former Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 pick of the draft.

"Pearsall is more similar as a player to Samuel than he is to Aiyuk," Graziano wrote.

Samuel's cap hit could serve as a deterrent in San Francisco finding a trade partner, Graziano noted. He is set to earn a base salary of just under $21 million next season and will cost more than $28 million against the cap.

There are still a few teams that are reportedly considering adding Samuel, although San Francisco may need to retain some salary to finalize a trade.

According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Pittsburgh Steelers "had interest" in trading for Samuel:

The New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills have also indicated interest in Samuel, according to Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal:

These candidates each addressed the receiver position in the draft.

In the second round, the Bills grabbed Florida State's Keon Coleman at No. 33, and the Patriots took Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk at No. 37.

In the third the Steelers selected Michigan's Roman Wilson at No. 84.

All three teams still need more receiving depth, however, and could consider addressing it in the trade market if the 49ers decide to make Samuel available after he recorded 892 receiving yards for seven touchdowns in 15 regular-season starts.

The Patriots particularly make sense as a trade candidate given their need to complement rookie quarterback Drake Maye and their large amount of available cap space.

Could Brandon Aiyuk be staying with the San Francisco 49ers after all?

Although there have been trade rumors surrounding Aiyuk for months, the fifth-year wideout and No. 31 pick Ricky Pearsall of Florida could be a good match with Brock Purdy next season.

San Francisco's desire to see them play together could potentially help the team push forward in negotiations on Aiyuk's extension.

However, Aiyuk could potentially receive a larger payday from another team after amassing a career-high 1,342 receiving yards through 16 regular-season games last season.

The Steelers have expressed in interest in Aiyuk, according to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Pittsburgh, a team that has also been tied to Samuel, added a third-round receiver this weekend but could be looking for another veteran to bolster the new-look offense around Russell Wilson.

Another possible candidate for Aiyuk could be the Washington Commanders, who used the No. 2 pick of the draft to select LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

There's a lot riding on the Commanders' hopes for Daniels to succeed as a first-year starting quarterback, so trading for a receiver he gels with could make sense for Washington.