Brandon Aiyuk has logged five straight games with at least 115 yards or a touchdown. With head coach Kyle Shanahan saying Deebo Samuel’s hamstring injury” “doesn’t look good” and George Kittle’s status still up in the air, Aiyuk can be a legitimate league-winner.
Aiyuk has seen 56 targets over the last five weeks, averaging out to 11.2 targets per game. Only Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, and Diontae Johnson have seen more targets over their last five outings.
By now, you’d have to be living under a rock to be unfamiliar with this breakout rookie. Drafted in the first round out of Arizona State, Aiyuk has quickly cemented himself into the 49ers’ passing attack. He is ranked in the 92nd percentile for his Burst Score according to PlayerProfiler. Aiyuk’s 40-yard dash was clocked at an impressive 4.50 at the 2020 combine.
Although Aiyuk has really come on over the last five games, he had 157 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in Weeks 3 & 4 when Nick Mullens started. In the five games in which Mullens and Aiyuk have started together, Aiyuk is averaging a whopping 12.4 targets per game
A high ankle sprain still has starting quarterback Jimmy Garappolo sidelined. In a 5-8 season, it’s likely that he doesn’t return. Over the next two weeks the 49ers face off against the Cowboys and the Cardinals, both bottom-12 in passing yards allowed
VERDICT: Brandon Aiyuk is a WR1 for the rest of the season
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His value next year with a likely quarterback change is tough to predict. In addition, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle returning from injuries will muddy the waters quite a bit. But don’t let that stop you from riding the hot hand over the new two weeks on your way to a fantasy championship.
Thanks for reading my article on Brandon Aiyuk! Be sure to follow me on Twitter @DaveKluge_FF.
