In the world of professional sports, every draft has the potential to shape a team’s future dramatically. The 2019 NFL Draft is no exception, particularly concerning the careers of wide receivers Deebo Samuel and DK Metcalf. While many aspiring players dream about being selected and making an immediate impact, Samuel and Metcalf find themselves as cornerstones of their respective franchises—Samuel with the San Francisco 49ers and Metcalf with the Seattle Seahawks. However, what many fans do not realize is just how close these two Pro Bowl talents came to sharing a locker room rather than facing off as rivals in the highly competitive NFC West.
According to reports, the Seattle Seahawks had a strategic vision during the second round of the draft that involved acquiring both Samuel and Metcalf. The Seahawks traded their first-round pick to the New York Giants, securing additional picks for the second round, believing they could select both star receivers to bolster their offense. The plan was straightforward: to draft Samuel at the 35th pick and Metcalf a few slots later. However, the football gods had other ideas.
Seattle had what they believed was a sealed deal with the Las Vegas Raiders—I mean, who would cancel a deal at the last minute? Unfortunately for the Seahawks, moments before the deal was executed, the Raiders shifted gears, choosing instead to send their pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That unexpected decision led to the drafting of offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor by the Jaguars and meant that Samuel was snagged immediately afterward by the 49ers. This chain of events left Seattle scrambling, ultimately resulting in them settling for Marquise Blair as a second-round pick instead.
As fate would have it, Seattle managed to snag Metcalf at the very end of the draft, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the NFL Draft and how quickly fortunes can change. What could have been a ground-shaking duo soon became a tale of what could have been—a collective “if only” hovering over the divide between two competitive teams.
Fast forward to the present, and both Samuel and Metcalf are recovering from separate tumultuous circumstances. Samuel recently made headlines after a sideline outburst directed toward his own team’s kicker, which raised eyebrows and questions about discipline and team morale. This incident took place during a rough game against the Minnesota Vikings, where Samuel expressed visible frustration. However, coach Kyle Shanahan assured fans that the issue was addressed internally, and Samuel’s focus will soon return to helping the 49ers solidify their position in the league.
On the other sideline, Metcalf has faced an injury that sidelined him for two games. Hailing from a strong start, he was making significant contributions to the Seahawks’ offensive scheme until a knee injury put him out of action. However, with his recent return to practice, anticipation is high for his performance in the upcoming matchup against the 49ers.
Had Samuel and Metcalf both landed in Seattle, the composition of the NFC West—and perhaps even the entire NFL—could look remarkably different. In a league where offensive firepower is often the key to success, the Seahawks would have had a two-headed monster in their receiving corps, capable of challenging defenses and enhancing their playoff viability. The ramifications of such a pairing could have extended beyond just their teams, pushing rivalries to new heights, and altering the dynamics of not just the division, but of football culture itself.
While the narrative is filled with twists and turns, the paths of Deebo Samuel and DK Metcalf serve as a potent reminder of the unpredictability of the NFL Draft. As fans await their next showdown, it’s hard not to ponder the rich ‘what ifs’ that define sports history—what if these two electrifying talents joined forces instead of clashing on the field? In a league that thrives on rivalry, the consequences of those decisions echo louder than ever.