The 2020 NFL Draft class of receivers was one of the most highly-touted groups in recent history. The San Francisco 49ers were expected to select one of the top receivers available with the No. 13 overall pick and had their choice of two of the three marquee wideouts from the draft class. The team traded down one spot and went in another direction with its first of two first-round picks.
The 49ers did select a receiver with their second first-rounder, though, adding Brandon Aiyuk of Arizona State with the No. 25 overall pick. Both moves were a bit controversial at the time because of what many expected to happen, but as time passed and as fans learned more about the 49ers' first-round selections, the initial backlash dissipated.
Plus, this current regime headed by Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch has gained a lot of trust, given the 49ers' recent turnaround. And that trust hasn't just been among the fanbase. Ownership rewarded Shanahan this week with a contract extension that keeps him in the Bay Area through the 2025 season.
As for Aiyuk, his new NFL head coach gushed over the receiver while speaking to reporters after the selection.
"He can play the X, he can play the Z, he can play the F," Shanahan explained in April. "He's got the speed to get on top. He's got the quickness to play in the slot. He's got the toughness to go over in the middle. And the guy is just completely committed, to me, to being as good as God ever intended him to be."
So, how good can Aiyuk be during his rookie campaign?
NFL Media analyst Cynthia Frelund feels the 49ers' rookie wideout has a lot of upside and could step in for Emmanuel Sanders, who left for the New Orleans Saints, and immediately contribute to Shanahan's offense.
Frelund ranked her top 10 rookie receivers based on projected production in 2020. She has six players listed above Aiyuk. Four are the receivers drafted before Aiyuk — CeeDee Lamb, Henry Ruggs, Justin Jefferson, Jerry Jeudy.
The others are Michael Pittman Jr. and Denzel Mims, both of whom were second-round picks.
Frelund's ranking of Aiyuk isn't necessarily a knock on the rookie receiver, though. The placement seems to, at least in part, have to do with the other talent on the roster. She wrote the following as an explanation for the ranking:
"At ASU, Aiyuk earned the second-most receiving yards after contact last season (378) among FBS receivers, per PFF, which helped him earn the fifth-most overall yards after the catch (710). With the departure from San Francisco of veteran receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who led the team with 29.3 percent of the Niners' air yards after arriving via trade in Week 8 last season (per NGS), the opportunity exists for Aiyuk to be an immediate contributor. However, his upside is tempered by the presence of other young receivers (like Kendrick Bourne and Deebo Samuel), who also will realize increased opportunities. For now, this nets out at Aiyuk ranking No. 57 among (all NFL) WRs."
