Why Deebo Samuel deserves grace amid ongoing struggles, per John Lynch NBC Sports Bay Area & California [Video]

John Lynch believes Deebo Samuel is a critical part of the 49ers’ offense, even if his on-field performance has been lackluster this season.

San Francisco’s general manager explained that Samuel is a victim of his own success as other teams have caught on to his versatile skillset.

“Deebo has created such a high standard, the things he’s done, the innovation we’ve created [with him],” Lynch told KNBR’s “Murph & Markus.” “That’s part of the issue. We created so many unique things for Deebo that now if you watch Green Bay [Packers receiver] Jayden Reed does a lot of those things. DJ Moore for the [Chicago] Bears does a lot of the Deebo packages.

“So I think people are becoming more familiar with it. Deebo is a really good football player. He’s created such a high standard for himself that I think frustration mounts. But he’s made so many plays for us I think we’ve got to give this guy …