The Most Underrated and Underappreciated 49er: Brandon Aiyuk
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The San Francisco 49ers boast one of the league's most talented rosters top to bottom. A defense with an All Pro at every level. An offense with an All Pro at running back, tight end, and receiver, as well as the best left tackle in football. The team is loaded with A-list talent. Large, loud personalities and fan favorites, such as Fred Warner and George Kittle. Quiet assassins and highly respected technicians, such as Trent Williams and Nick Bosa. The 49ers are not lacking for star power. But one player remains underrated and under appreciated. Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk was drafted in 2020 to be the 49ers prototypical X receiver. Kyle Shanahan liked him so much, he traded back up into the 1st round to get him. At 6 feet, 200lbs., Aiyuk has good size and length. Explosive off the line of scrimmage, smooth in and out of his routes. Soft, natural hands catcher, quick to transition into a runner. Aiyuk came into the league with a lot of ability.
Over the past few years, the 49ers offense has been a middle of field, and line of scrimmage passing attack. Quick passes, getting the ball to a player in space, and picking up run after the catch yards. The Niners top two weapons, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, are both elite at gaining yards after the catch. Both physical, punishing ball carriers. This style of football played to the strengths of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Aiyuk enjoyed some early success, but he had yet to be fully featured.
During the 2022 regular season, the 49ers played with three different quarterbacks. All Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel also was not at full health. The 49ers needed Aiyuk to be their go to No. 1 receiver.
Aiyuk was excellent this past season. He caught 78 balls for 1,015 yards. On an offense full of weapons, he was ninth in the league with 8 touchdown grabs. Aiyuk is the 49ers No. 1 receiving threat.
Looking ahead to the 2023 season, the 49ers offense needs Aiyuk. Trey Lance and Brock Purdy need Aiyuk. He is quietly one of the most important players. Aiyuk runs the best, most complete route tree on this team. He is their best man coverage beater. He has the ability to consistently get separation deep down the field. Quarterback play has limited the amount of explosives from Aiyuk, but he has made himself available on such plays. Lance has the arm talent to throw the big ball, and Aiyuk will be the beneficiary of it.
One area Aiyuk doesn’t excel at is contested catches. Many people point to the Mike Williams style of explosive play. A guy who is open even when he is covered. A guy who dominates at the catch point. Dez Bryant did this better than anyone the past decade. He made the big play with physicality. While Aiyuk doesn’t possess that unique skill set, he is able to win downfield the same way Justin Jefferson does. With separation. Aiyuk's blend of route running and explosiveness allows him to work open on deeper route concepts. He’s not a guy you throw a back shoulder jump ball, but he is a guy you throw over top and allow him to run through the catch.
An area Aiyuk has been dominant is the middle of the field. He is excellent at manipulating corners away from his route and explodes out of his stem to provide open windows for the throw. He has long arms, providing a large catch radius. He plucks the ball with ease, is quick to tuck and transition into a ball carrier. On passing downs, he is the best weapon to beat man coverage quickly and decisively. The 49ers offense has a lot of players who are dominant after the catch. Aiyuk is the best before the catch.
Aiyuk has not only developed into a route running technician and a complete receiver, but he is a dawg in the run game, too. A punishing, ferocious run blocker. Aiyuk will mix it up with corners, safeties and linebackers alike. He brings an edge and physicality to the field. And he sets the tone for a wide receiver room whose reputation now precedes them.
Aiyuk will be a free agent soon. While many appreciate and acknowledge his growth and ability, he is still underrated and under appreciated. He reminds me of Jimmie Ward. A 49er who early in his career was undervalued and overlooked. But a guy who has now become a heart and whole player. Aiyuk is extremely important to this offense's identity, to the quarterbacks' development, and to the future of this team. The 49ers would be wise to ensure he dons the red and gold for a very long time.
