Brandon Aiyuk

Aiyuk and Brock Purdy formed perhaps the most efficient QB/WR duo in the league last season, with 105 passes producing 75 catches (71.4 percent) for 1,342 yards (17.9 YPR, 12.8 YPT) and seven touchdowns. The 2020 first-round pick topped his previous career high for catch rate by three percentage points despite having a sky-high 13.8 aDOT after three straight seasons in the 9.4-9.9 range. That catch rate will be nearly impossible to replicate without the aDOT (and YPR) declining, but Aiyuk still projects as one of the most efficient receivers in the league, catching passes from Purdy in a Kyle Shanahan offense that boasts three other excellent playmakers (Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle). It was Aiyuk who led the group in targets last year, albeit by a small margin with each of the four drawing at least 83 looks. He's now scheduled to play out his age-26 season under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, presumably hoping to sign an extension this spring/summer (and perhaps considering a holdout if nothing gets done). While no speed demon -- he ran a 4.50 40 at 6-0. 205 pounds in 2020 -- Aiyuk is unusually fluid/quick for someone so stoutly built and tracks balls downfield as naturally as any receiver in the league. He might be a 140-target guy in another offense, but it's hard to imagine him seeing that kind of volume for the Niners unless their other key playmakers have a brutal year for injuries. Of course, he's already shown he doesn't need huge volume to put up strong numbers in such a favorable situation efficiency-wise.

He may never be the centerpiece of an offense that also features WR Deebo Samuel, TE George Kittle and RB Christian McCaffrey, but it was Aiyuk who led the Niners in catches (78), targets (114) and receiving yards (1,015) last year, clearing 1,000 yards for the first time in three seasons since he was drafted 25th overall in 2020. He's pretty much facing the same drawbacks this year, and possibly with even more target competition if McCaffrey and Samuel stay relatively healthy (they made 24 combined appearances for the Niners last season). On the other hand, Aiyuk also has all the same positives working in his favor, namely his own talent, a good offensive line and coach Kyle Shanahan. Another step forward isn't out of the question if someone emerges between Trey Lance, Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold to give the Niners legitimately solid QB play that isn't just scheme-based and YAC-dependent.

Aiyuk was criticized by his coach, dissected by the media, nearly benched for Trent Sherfield and ultimately outshined by Deebo Samuel. And yet, when all was said and done for 2021, the second-year wideout had a decent season, albeit one that fell shy of expectations for a first- round pick coming off a rookie campaign with 825 total yards and seven TDs in 12 games. Last year, Aiyuk got 12 fewer targets in five more games, and only six carries. Samuel, meanwhile, enjoyed a full-on breakout, though the nature of his production changed throughout the year (a lot of targets early, then more work on the ground in December). The shift in Samuel's use contributed to Aiyuk's improvement — or maybe it was the other way around. Whatever the case, Aiyuk played at least 88 percent of snaps in each game from Week 8 on, averaging 4.3 catches for 66.4 yards on 6.2 targets (10.7 YPT), with four TDs in 11 games. Aiyuk now enters Year 3 secure in his starting role, though he might be Option C when Samuel and TE George Kittle are healthy. That's not the worst gig, but target volume could be lacking if the Niners commit to dual-threat QB Trey Lance.

Last year’s 25th overall pick, Aiyuk delivered during his rookie season. Despite missing four games — two on the COVID list, one with a hamstring injury, one with an ankle sprain — he led the 49ers with 60 catches and scored seven times, including twice on the ground. At one point, he had six straight games of at least 73 receiving yards. At 6-0, 200, Aiyuk has average size and ran a similarly average 4.50 40, but he’s stout, strong, hard to bring down and unusually quick. Aiyuk’s per-play numbers (12.5 YPC, 7.8 YPT) were pedestrian, but he was playing with backup quarterbacks for much of the year. Aiyuk should again have a big role in 2021, and the team figures to have better quarterback play with Jimmy Garoppolo — and eventually No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance — rather than Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard. But with a healthy Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, it’s hard to see any of the three among the league leaders in targets, especially in Kyle Shanahan’s run-first system.

Aiyuk figures to see work on punt and kick returns, given his quickness, explosiveness and vision in the open field. The question is how many looks he'll see as a wideout. At 6-1, 206, he has decent size but only average long speed (4.50 40), though his vertical leap (40 inches) and broad jump (128 inches) were near the top of his class. Aiyuk is excellent after the catch, able to make defenders miss, and he finishes off plays like a running back. His fate will likely depend on his work before the catch, however - getting off the line of scrimmage and running strong routes. Luckily, he landed in an almost ideal setting - the Niners let Emmanuel Sanders go this offseason, leaving only Deebo Samuel ahead of Aiyuk on the receiver depth chart. Kendrick Bourne is still around in the slot, but Aiyuk could enter his rookie season as the team's top outside receiver if Samuel doesn't recover from June foot surgery in time for Week 1.