It's been a good year for rookie wide receivers in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus' metrics, two of the best have been Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers. Jefferson's numbers far exceed Aiyuk's.
Jefferson has 65 receptions for 1,078 yards and seven touchdowns, while Aiyuk has 50 receptions for 660 yards, four receiving touchdowns, and two rushing scores.
Jefferson isn't just the highest-graded rookie receiver. He is the highest-graded rookie, period. In fact, Jefferson is tied for the third-highest grade among all NFL receivers, behind only Davante Adams of the Green Bay Packers and Vikings teammate Adam Thielen.
Aiyuk has racked up 91-or-more receiving yards in four of his last five games. Since Week 9, he is one of three NFL receivers averaging 95 yards per game. The other two are Tyreek Hill of the Kanas City Chiefs and Adams.
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk's last five games:
* 10 rec, 119 yards
* 5 rec, 95 yards, TD
* 7 rec, 75 yards, TD
* 8 rec, 91 yards, TD
* 6 rec, 101 yardsSince Week 9, he is one of three WR averaging 95 yards per game along with Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 17, 2020
Analyst Greg Cosell joined KNBR this week and spoke highly of Aiyuk, who he feels is hindered by poor quarterback play. Cosell feels that with more consistency out of his passers, Aiyuk may be putting up Jefferson-type numbers.
"I don't view what I'm about to say as a bold, controversial take, but I think if Aiyuk was in Minnesota, he'd be doing the same thing that Jefferson is doing," Cosell told Greg Papa and John Lund. "I think that, obviously, because of the quarterback situation in San Francisco and the inconsistent nature of the pass game week to week, that Aiyuk's numbers are not going to be what some might hope they would be, but I think he's played extremely well.
"I think he has a chance to be a great player. I think he's a pretty multi-dimensional complete receiver. I think that he can get vertical. I think he's got really good run-after-catch. I think in Kyle's system, we're so used to (Deebo) Samuel running the jet sweeps and the orbit reverses, Aiyuk can do that as well. So, I think he's a pretty complete player."
Jefferson was drafted No. 21 overall, three spots ahead of Aiyuk, the sixth receiver selected in April. The third receiver selected (No. 17 overall) was CeeDee Lamb. The two will meet on Sunday at AT&T Stadium as the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys face off. Lamb ranks second in receptions among rookie receivers and third in receiving yards.
Does Aiyuk keep tabs on the other wideouts from his rookie class, like Lamb and Jefferson?
"Of course I follow them," Aiyuk told reporters. "Those are the rookie receivers that I'm going against. I'd be lying if I sat here and said I wasn't watching what they're doing. Just being the person I am, of course I'm looking at what they're doing, and I'm pretty sure they're doing the exact same.
"I know what those guys are going through. A lot of respect to those guys. It's not easy what we're doing, being a rookie in this league. So, I have a bunch of respect for those guys, and just wish them the best, and health, as well."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Cosell below.
