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49ers: Brandon Aiyuk poised to be immediate fantasy star

By Cory Kinnan

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Brandon Aiyuk #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils scores a touchdown in the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at SDCCU Stadium on September 15, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Brandon Aiyuk #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils scores a touchdown in the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at SDCCU Stadium on September 15, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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Brandon Aiyuk is poised to be an immediate star for the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers lost their rookie phenom from a year ago in wide receiver Deebo Samuel, as he suffered a broken foot during training. Luckily for head coach Kyle Shanahan and company, they drafted another speedy wide receiver in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft in the form of Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk was relatively unknown heading into the 2019 season with the Sun Devils, but burst onto the scene has he began busting off big plays after big plays down the field. Averaging a massive 18 yards per reception, Aiyuk finished his senior season with almost 1,200 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

While the Niners were hoping Aiyuk could stretch the field while Samuel dominated the underneath game as his did in his rookie season, they may have to adjust their plans for at least the first couple of games in the 2020 season. The 49ers may have to adjust their plans, but their selection of Aiyuk could not have come in more handy.

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Yes, the rookie receiver will be thrust into action more quickly than San Francisco may have originally planned, and he may face a bit of a learning curve on the fly. However, this is set to make Aiyuk an immediate fantasy football star.

What will make Aiyuk an early star?

With the injury to Samuel, the 49ers are going to have to target someone in the passing attack. This past offseason, San Francisco traded Marquise Goodwin to the Philadelphia Eagles, and Dante Pettis is coming off of a disappointing sophomore season. While both Jalen Hurd and Trent Taylor are both coming back from the injured reserve, both also operate mainly out of the slot.

This will lead to Brandon Aiyuk being the primary target in the Niners’ passing attack outside of their superstar tight end George Kittle. Not only will Aiyuk be targeted often, but in Shanahan’s wide zone scheme, the Niners could look to manufacture the former Sun Devil wide receiver touches on screens and quick hitters as well.

In a point-per-reception (PPR) league, this is what we call a gold mine.

Given Aiyuk’s ability to make a man miss and turn on the jets in the open field, he has the potential to turn a quick slant or bubble screen into a massive gain for the Niners right off the bat in 2020. Should teams try to come up and jam him at the line of scrimmage, he has the speed to get vertical and make plays down the field as well.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Aiyuk ran a 4.5 40 yard dash, a bit average for the wide receiver position, but excelled at both his vertical and broad jumps, where he truly displayed the explosiveness in his legs. This is ideal should Shanahan give him his fair share of targets down the field.

Not to mention, Aiyuk is being placed into an offensive system manned by one of the brightest, young minds the NFL has to offer. Shanahan has the wits to scheme his playmakers open and get them their fair share of attention, giving Aiyuk a likely opportunity to shine.

In fact, Pro Football Network’s Nicholas McGee believes the marriage between Aiyuk and the 49ers is one made in Heaven:

"“Being selected after a trade up means there will be significant scrutiny on Aiyuk right off the bat. However, the marriage of his physical traits and San Francisco’s scheme is one set up to succeed instantly. Shanahan and general manager John Lynch recognized this and, should the 2020 season go ahead as planned, the arguments against the trade are likely to be blown up by an offense that now has even more firepower” (McGee via PFN)."

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Either way the coin is flipped, Brandon Aiyuk looks like he could be in for quite the successful rookie season. If the value is there in any fantasy football draft, make sure to heavily consider the 2020 first round pick of the 49ers.