The San Francisco 49ers drafted two wide receivers in April — Brandon Aiyuk in the first round and Jauan Jennings in the seventh. Both could find themselves becoming significant contributors this season.
Aiyuk and Jennings are certainly getting in some work during these early training camp practices with Deebo Samuel (foot) and Richie James Jr. (hand) sidelined. Both have impressed their new teammates.
Aiyuk had an attention-grabbing catch during Sunday's practice when he got a step past cornerback Jason Verrett and hauled in an over-the-shoulder pass along the sideline from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Making a good first impression 👀@THE2ERA | #49ersCamp pic.twitter.com/XyOA8kqJWC
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 17, 2020
"I think he's a real intelligent guy," Trent Taylor said of Aiyuk during a video conference call after practice. "He's got his head on straight, the type of guy who's never too high on the highs or too low on the lows. I think, from what we've seen so far, he's been picking everything up pretty well, and he could end up being a great piece for us."
Taylor was also asked about Jennings, who sounds just as focused.
"We ran one-on-ones for the first time today," Taylor said, "and he made some great plays, ran some filthy routes out there. And I think it shocked all of us, the type of route-running ability that he actually has.
"I think he has great patience off the line, and he's not a guy that gets too flustered when he gets caught in a bad situation in a route. I think he just keeps his head on the same level — not too high, not too low. I think he just loves the game of football, and that's what helps him out."