Pro Football Focus (PFF) analyst Zoltán Buday compiled a list of the 10 NFL players with the most to prove in 2025. Among them is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is working his way back from devastating ACL and MCL injuries that prematurely ended his 2024 campaign.
Aiyuk had just signed a lucrative contract extension before the injury. However, his on-field production didn't reflect his new salary. He managed only 25 receptions for 374 yards over seven games and failed to reach the end zone before being sidelined.
That disappointing stretch stood in contrast to his previous two seasons, during which Aiyuk topped 1,000 receiving yards each year, including a career-best 1,342 yards in 2023.
"Aiyuk enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, boasting a second-ranked 91.5 PFF overall grade among all wide receivers," Buday wrote. "However, he has yet to prove it was not a fluke season. It has been established that Aiyuk is a true No. 1 wide receiver after he ranked among the top 30 players at his position in PFF overall grade in each of his first three seasons. Nevertheless, he took things to another level in 2023.
"This past season was a different story. His early-year play was uninspiring, and his season was cut short after just seven weeks. He earned a 74.6 PFF overall grade, which ranked 33rd among 133 qualifying wide receivers."
Aiyuk isn't expected to be ready for Week 1, when the 49ers open the season against the Seattle Seahawks on September 7. In his absence, Jauan Jennings and rookie Ricky Pearsall are expected to lead the receiving corps.
The 49ers' star receiver was seen at Tuesday's practice, moving carefully on the side as the players ran through light drills and helping coach up teammates.
"He's making his way back," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "He's still in the middle of it (his rehab). So, he's working through that. He's been around, been rehabbing for the most part, but he's been out to some practices, and it was good to have him out today."
San Francisco is hoping Aiyuk can return at some point during the 2025 season and provide a much-needed spark to a receiver room that lost Deebo Samuel this offseason.
"The 49ers have an aging roster and their Super Bowl window appears to be slowly closing," Buday concluded, "so the team needs Aiyuk to show that he can get back to that level once again in 2025."