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49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk among PFF’s Year 3 breakout candidates
Jun 21, 2022 at 12:23 PM
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk was a hot pick last year as a candidate primed to have a breakout season. Instead, it was third-year wideout
Deebo Samuel who emerged as one of the best in the game. Aiyuk was slow out of the gate, hauling in just one pass for six yards in the Niners' first two games. He played just 51 percent of the offensive snaps through Week 2.
Aiyuk finished the season strong, playing at least 90 percent of the offensive snaps in each game starting in Week 9. He amassed 43 receptions for 685 yards and four touchdowns during that span.
Can Aiyuk have a Samuel-like breakout season in his third year—minus the running back snaps. One thousand, four hundred five of Samuel's 1,770 all-purpose yards came as a receiver. In 2021, Aiyuk improved upon his rookie season numbers, racking up 826 total receiving yards, per
Pro Football Reference. Another jump in production could make the Samuel-Aiyuk duo a headache for opposing defenses in 2022.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked the 10 best third-year breakout candidates heading into the 2022 NFL season. Aiyuk came in at No. 6 on the list, behind wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, pass rusher Jonathan Greenard, safety Kyle Dugger, guard Jonah Jackson, and pass rusher Trevis Gipson.
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Aiyuk was everyone's favorite breakout candidate in 2021," wrote PFF's Michael Renner. "So much so that he was going ahead of teammate Deebo Samuel in fantasy drafts. While that looks absurd in retrospect, the production difference was more a function of usage and not necessarily indicative of talent.
"Aiyuk was a separation machine last season despite only finishing with [826] yards. He hauled in over 50% of his contested opportunities and broke 18 tackles on 56 catches. If Samuel is out any length of time over his contract dispute, Aiyuk should have no problem whatsoever filling that role in the offense."
Assuming the 49ers can resolve the contract dilemma with Samuel, second-year quarterback Trey Lance should have a plethora of offensive weapons at his disposal in 2022.
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Rapoport: 49ers send clear message to teams inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
Rumor: Steelers believe they can acquire 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk at a bargain
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"According to a team source, the Steelers and 49ers trade talks are real," Strackbein wrote. "While nothing is imminent, they 'would be surprised if it didn't happen.' But it all comes down to compensation, and Pittsburgh isn't willing to budge much on price."
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ESPN analyst on Brandon Aiyuk: 49ers shouldn't pay two receivers top dollar
ESPN analyst Matt Miller understands the perspective of San Francisco 49ers fans. After all, he has been a fan of the team since he was a kid. Seeing any of your favorite players leave and put on another uniform is tough.
It's also difficult to pay everyone, and Miller knows that. It's not a formula for successful roster building, including paying two wide receivers top dollar.
The 49ers are trying to negotiate a contract extension with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The team invested heavily in another receiver, Deebo Samuel, just two years ago. Is allowing each of them to consume a significant chunk of the salary cap feasible for a team that hopes to continue being competitive and win Super Bowls?
"I have to separate the fan part of my brain, who
Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy are why the 49ers can afford to pay Brandon Aiyuk
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
