PFF ranks 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk as the third highest-graded rookie through Week 10

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk owns an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 79.0. That's good enough to rank him as the third highest-graded rookie through Week 10. Only wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and offensive lineman Michael Onwenu of the New England Patriots rank higher.

"The Niners' first-round rookie was far from productive in his first five games in the NFL, generating just 0.94 yards per route run to pair with a 68.7 receiving grade," wrote Anthony Treash in a recent feature for PFF. "He's been red-hot as of late, though, raising his yards per route run figure to 2.63 and earning a receiving grade of 87.3 over the last three games, the third-best grade at the position over that span."

Aiyuk has shown off his versatility in his first NFL season, hauling in 35 passes for 446 yards with three receiving touchdowns and adding five carries for 61 yards and two rushing scores.

"Since Week 8, the Arizona State product has torched single coverage when given the opportunity," Treash continued, "catching 10-of-12 such targets for 125 yards and two touchdowns. And of those 12 targets, Aiyuk created a step or more of separation on 10 of them."

Over the past three games, Aiyuk has caught 21 passes for 281 yards and two scores, including a 115-yard Week 7 performance against the New England Patriots.

"This three-week stretch of play has skyrocketed Aiyuk up this list," Treash added, "and if he keeps this up, he could challenge either Jefferson or Onwenu for a spot in the top two — spots they have held for most of the campaign."