Analysts always like to compare incoming rookies to other players in the league. For San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks doesn't have to look very far for a comparison. When he sees the first-round pick, another San Francisco draft pick from last year comes to mind.
"He really reminds me a lot of Deebo Samuel in terms of the way he is able to make plays on the move," Brooks said on the Move the Sticks podcast via Matt Howe of 247Sports. "Terrific with the ball in his hands. His ability to make things happen gives them a dynamic playmaker to really build around. As we think about Kyle Shanahan and this offense, I just think he goes to the next level with another playmaker like Aiyuk."
Aiyuk recorded 98 receptions for 1,666 yards with 11 touchdowns in two seasons with Arizona State after transferring from Sierra College.
San Francisco selected Aiyuk with the No. 25 overall pick. More will be asked of him when training camp begins with Samuel expected to miss some time with a foot injury. Aiyuk will have to get up to speed fast, as he hasn't had the benefit of a full offseason of team-organized work due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Good Morning Football host Peter Schrager believes Aiyuk could make an offensive impact during his rookie campaign.
"I think Aiyuk is going to be one of those guys that they plug in and say we got to get you on the field and get you going in our offense," Schrager said, per Howe. "... Get ready to know his name in primetime with the 49ers. Brandon Aiyuk. Circle it and draft him in fantasy (football), let's go."
As for Brooks, this isn't the first time the analyst and his podcast co-host, Daniel Jeremiah, have praised the potential of a Samuel-Aiyuk combination.
"Bringing in Brandon Aiyuk in the draft, you're going to see him plug into that system," Jeremiah explained in May, before Samuel's injury. "You're going to see Deebo Samuel continue to take that next step. They're going to get healthier. You're looking at bringing back a guy like Jalen Hurd. So they're going to have some weapons.
"You saw how they used Deebo Samuel in some of the run game concepts. We saw it in the Super Bowl, how big of an influence he was in that game."
Added Brooks, at the time: "This offense is already pretty good. It could be great next season with the addition of Aiyuk teaming up with Deebo Samuel."