Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN calls 49ers rookie Brandon Aiyuk ‘unstoppable’ on this route
Jul 10, 2020 at 6:40 AM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
It's right there in the title of Seth Walder's latest feature for ESPN. "Unstoppable." That word is high praise for a wide receiver, even if you are just looking at one specific route in his arsenal.
As the title of the ESPN feature suggests, the analyst took a look at 16 rookie receivers from this year's draft class and
identified each's best and most productive routes over the past two seasons of college football. Walder also examined how each's skill might contribute to his new NFL team.
The San Francisco 49ers were so impressed by Arizona State's Brandon Aiyuk that they traded up to No. 25 overall to select him.
"He can play the X, he can play the Z, he can play the F,"
head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Aiyuk after drafting him. "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."
Walder identified the screen and quick routes as Aiyuk's best, saying that many of the 49ers' attempts on those types of plays will likely be diverted to Aiyuk this season.
"One has to imagine coach Kyle Shanahan will scheme up ways to get the rookie receiver the ball quickly to take advantage of his run-after-the-catch ability," Walder wrote. "Among qualifying receivers, Aiyuk ranked second in college football in yards after catch per reception over the past two seasons, behind only Alabama's DeVonta Smith."
Screens aren't Aiyuk's only strength, though. Walder was also impressed by what he saw out of the young receiver during his 17 post routes, which he says were run with "astronomical efficiency." Aiyuk actually led college football in yards per attempt on those routes, if you accept the small sample size.
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
ESPN analyst on Brandon Aiyuk: 49ers shouldn't pay two receivers top dollar
ESPN analyst Matt Miller understands the perspective of San Francisco 49ers fans. After all, he has been a fan of the team since he was a kid. Seeing any of your favorite players leave and put on another uniform is tough.
It's also difficult to pay everyone, and Miller knows that. It's not a formula for successful roster building, including paying two wide receivers top dollar.
The 49ers are trying to negotiate a contract extension with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The team invested heavily in another receiver, Deebo Samuel, just two years ago. Is allowing each of them to consume a significant chunk of the salary cap feasible for a team that hopes to continue being competitive and win Super Bowls?
"I have to separate the fan part of my brain, who
Rapoport: 49ers send clear message to teams inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
Rumor: Steelers believe they can acquire 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk at a bargain
According to Sports Illustrated contributor Noah Strackbein, who writes for "All Steelers" on the network, there's a level of confidence within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization that they can strike a deal for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk—and at a bargain rate.
"According to a team source, the Steelers and 49ers trade talks are real," Strackbein wrote. "While nothing is imminent, they 'would be surprised if it didn't happen.' But it all comes down to compensation, and Pittsburgh isn't willing to budge much on price."
While it seems unlikely that the 49ers would part ways with Aiyuk for anything less than a first-round draft
Insider provides clarity on 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors
A questionable rumor surfaced on Wednesday regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers' interest in San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Sports Illustrated contributor Noah Strackbein reported that the AFC team was seemingly confident they could pull off a trade for Aiyuk.
However, the credibility of this report comes into question due to the assertion that the Steelers believe they could acquire Aiyuk at a bargain price, possibly in exchange for a second-round draft pick and a late-round selection.
RELATED: Steelers believe they can acquire Aiyuk at a
