Deebo Samuel is officially back with the San Francisco 49ers, and let me tell you, even if the man is older, this dude has historically been a straight-up “Rams Killer.” Forget the age talk, because when Samuel plays L.A., he just finds a way to make those big plays and help his team earn the win. It doesn’t matter if the stats always jump off the page; his impact has been undeniable in their matchups.
The Samuel Problem Is Officially Back For L.A.
You can talk all you want about how the Rams should have an incredibly improved defense over last season, potentially even one of the best units they’ve ever assembled, but let’s be real: we haven’t actually seen that prove out on the field yet. What we have seen, time and time again, is Samuel torching the Rams. Remember Mike Evans from the 49ers? He’s not holding back, calling Samuel a “hell of a pickup” for them. Evans loves his play, praising his energy and versatility, saying he’ll absolutely “bring what he brought before to the team.” And Samuel clearly still has plenty left in the tank after last year, even though he was with the Commanders. In 16 games for Washington in 2025, he racked up a solid 72 catches for 727 yards and five receiving touchdowns, plus another 17 carries for 75 yards and a rushing score. That’s serious, all-around production, and now that versatile threat is aimed squarely at the Rams again. It gets even crazier thinking about Aaron Donald potentially returning to the Rams. If that happens, we could be looking at Samuel and Donald squaring off one more time. Talk about a heavyweight bout!
L.A.’s Defensive Buzz vs. A Known Nightmare
Look, the Rams are making some serious noise with their new defensive talent, and you gotta acknowledge it. The buzz around guys like Myles Garrett is absolutely legit; he’s been “better than advertised” in camp, fitting in seamlessly and benefiting from having a deep, loaded group of defensive linemen around him. And Trent McDuffie? He’s checking every single box imaginable. This guy can play field, boundary, and slot corner, and he’s a tough, physical tone-setter. Honestly, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s a captain in his very first year. The team believes he can become perhaps the NFL’s best defensive back in a role similar to Jalen Ramsey’s, even if Ramsey was a bigger, more physically imposing player. Garrett and McDuffie alone are expected to make a “very significant difference” for L.A.’s defense, which is saying something given Jared Verse was part of the cost to get Garrett in the first place. They just had their first padded practice, and reports say Garrett and Davante Adams got scheduled rest days, while Stetson Bennett IV and Ty Simpson impressed. Defensive standouts were clear in a run-heavy session, showing the unit’s promise.
So, the stage is absolutely set. Can this supposedly “best ever” Rams defense actually contain a veteran “Rams Killer” like Deebo Samuel, who just rolled back into town with plenty of gas in the tank? We’re about to find out soon enough. The early season matchups between these two NFC West rivals are going to be absolutely must-watch television. Get ready for some fireworks, because this is going to be a wild one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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