How Brandon Aiyuk Can Be a Secret Weapon in Dynasty

The 49ers needed a wide receiver upgrade after Emmanuel Sanders was not re-signed by San Francisco in free agency. He underperformed for the 49ers down the stretch, only catching 13 of 22 targets for 166 receiving yards over his last six games. The team traded up in the first round of this year’s draft to select former Arizona State receiver Brandon Aiyuk No. 25 overall. He was the sixth receiver and the third PAC-12 player chosen, following Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert to the Chargers and University of Southern California offensive tackle Austin Jackson to the Dolphins.

Aiyuk is a versatile player who, like new teammate Deebo Samuel, can line up all across the formation and positively affect the game as a receiver and runner. Samuel was selected in the second round of last year’s draft and proved to be a difference-maker down the stretch. He finished as a WR2 or better in seven of the 49ers’ 10 final games. Aiyuk will provide San Francisco with a much-needed shot of adrenaline to their passing game. Kyle Shanahan continues to accumulate versatile receivers on the 49ers roster who can generate yards after the catch and give defensive coordinators nightmares worst than anything Pennywise can conjure up.

The only other team to average a higher number of rushing attempts (32.1) and rushing yards (153.5) per game last season than the 49ers were the Ravens. This offensive mindset resulted in San Francisco playing in the Super Bowl but ultimately losing to the Chiefs. The 49ers ranked 29th in pass attempts per game during the regular season with nearly 30. San Francisco is committed to Jimmy Garoppolo as their franchise quarterback. He finished as a QB2 or better in 69% of his games last season in the 49ers run-heavy offense. Garoppolo finished with the season ranked 10th in true passer rating. It makes sense for head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to provide him with additional offensive weapons in 2020. The 49ers have big plans for Aiyuk. This article will discuss his collegiate statistical body of work and his fantasy outlook in San Francisco.

Brandon Aiyuk’s Statistical Body of Work

Aiyuk broke out last season at Arizona State and emerged as the Sun Devils’ most dynamic big-play threat. Aiyuk played two years at Sierra Community College prior to Arizona State. He was the 26th player selected from the university in the first round of the NFL Draft. It’s also the second consecutive season in which a player from Arizona State was drafted in the first round, with N’Keal Harry going to the Patriots with the final pick of the first round a year ago.

Aiyuk’s receiving yards last season were the fifth-most in Arizona State single-season history—he was within 18 of fourth place and 56 of third. Aiyuk’s 99.3 receiving yards per game ranked 13th in the FBS. He finished second in the FBS during the regular season with 710 yards after the catch. Aiyuk also led the PAC-12 with an impressive 3.02 yards per route according to Sports Info Solutions. Six of his eight touchdown receptions in 2019 were 30 yards or more. Aiyuk was very effective accumulating 1,870 all-purpose yards, which ranked sixth in the FBS, on just 94 touches. His nearly 20 yards per touch ranked fourth in the FBS.

It may come as a surprise that the five players ranked ahead of Aiyuk in all-purpose yards were running backs. And now you're thinking that he was a one-hit-wonder at Arizona State. Aiyuk finished his freshman season at Sierra College with a solid 29 receptions, 573 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. He went boom as a sophomore with 1,019 total yards from scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns. Aiyuk participated in the NFL Combine back in February recording a 40-yard dash time of 4.50 and an impressive 40 inches in the vertical jump. He underwent surgery in early April for a core-muscle injury and is expected to ready for the start of the 2020 NFL season. Let’s walk through Aiyuk’s fantasy outlook with the 49ers.

How Brandon Aiyuk Fits with the 49ers

Aiyuk’s versatility will provide him an opportunity to play a high number of snaps and see a high number of opportunities as a rookie. The 49ers have to replace the vacated targets of Sanders. Aiyuk is the best candidate to fill that void when you look at the other receivers on San Francisco’s roster. He will immediately be inserted as the 49ers No. 2 receiver behind Samuel with Trent Taylor operating as the No. 3. Aiyuk should face single coverage on a high percentage of his pass routes. He will also be used as a rusher along with Samuel. Aiyuk struggles with contested catches, but the 49ers will do everything they can to provide him high quality touches in order to create yards after the catch while also targeting him down the field.

"Get him in space. He's very explosive in space."



Herm Edwards chatted with @MaioccoNBCS about Brandon Aiyuk on the latest 49ers Insider Podcast



? Listen here: https://t.co/6w4UaKOYNz pic.twitter.com/OysILSt8k3

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) May 14, 2020

It’s doubtful that the 49ers deviate completely from their run-heavy offensive scheme. This limits Aiyuk’s fantasy upside. He will see enough opportunities per game to be on the flex radar for fantasy players, especially once the bye weeks begin rolling in. Aiyuk can be drafted as a high-end WR5. It’s essential to have proper expectations considering how the 49ers want to win football games.

Bottom Line

• Aiyuk is an upside WR5 and is someone to stash as a preemptive waiver wire pickup. He has all physical tools needed to succeed against NFL defenses and is tethered to a play-caller in Shanahan who knows how to use a receiver with Aiyuk’s skills.
• From a dynasty perspective, he’s an excellent target in the late first to the early second round in rookie drafts. Aiyuk may be underestimated due to his collegiate body of work. Don’t make that mistake. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Aiyuk surpasses Samuel.