Brandon Aiyuk – Fantasy Football Outlook
While fantasy gamers were a year early in 2021, Brandon Aiyuk delivered for managers in 2022. After landing in coach Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse, Aiyuk provided the classic year three wide receiver breakout for drafters. He set career highs in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns. Aiyuk would finish as the WR15.
What can we reasonably expect for an encore? Can he maintain or even improve upon his 2022? Or will a log jam in San Francisco leave us frustrated again?
Let’s take a closer look at the other 49ers’ wide receiver and his fantasy football outlook for 2023 and beyond.
2023 Fantasy Football Outlook
Aiyuk ranked 15th last season in our Consistency Score among all wide receivers. He finished higher than Terry McLaurin, DK Metcalf, DeVonta Smith, and Tee Higgins. Yet, according to our up-to-date ADP, Aiyuk is being drafted after every single one of these players.
Pro Football Focus graded Aiyuk 14th out of 198 eligible receivers against man coverage and 22nd against zone coverage. He is one of the best route runners in the league and routinely makes defenders look foolish.
Four’s A Crowd
Yes, there’s an obvious target problem in San Francisco. Playing alongside Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey does present an issue. This same competition, however, did not stop Aiyuk in 2022.
It is hard to look at Aiyuk’s situation and see a clear path to fantasy relevance again. There is some serious target competition here.
The outlook may seem bleak, but as the great Ian Malcolm once said in Jurassic Park: “Life finds a way.”
Sometimes, we look too hard for reasons we shouldn’t draft players when the reality is often simple.
Draft good players. Aiyuk is just that.
Hype Building
Rave reviews from 49ers camp and practices keep rolling in this summer. Aiyuk has almost unanimously been noted as the best player on the field for the offense.
Perhaps Aiyuk is getting ready to take his game to another level?
Checking in as the WR31 in our up-to-date rankings, Aiyuk makes for an excellent WR3 or flex option in drafts. He can once again return a profit at this price.
Dynasty Outlook
Aiyuk is only entering his age 25 season. The 49ers have already picked up his 5th-year option for 2024. He will be eligible for a contract extension at that time.
He is a special talent at the receiver position. Most casual gamers don’t know how good this man is on the field. While he has not yet had an elite statistical season, that does not mean he can’t at some point down the line.
Aiyuk is currently ranked as WR24 in our dynasty rankings.
What Should We Do?
The best way to get an edge on your league-mates is to identify elite players before they put up elite statistics. This is the exact type of player I love buying. Aiyuk fits that mold. He is one of my highest-rostered players across 35 leagues.
It would not surprise me if, in two years, we’re talking about Aiyuk as one of the best receivers in the league. He is that good.
Detractors will point to Aiyuk’s current situation as a reason to shy away. This is more than fair. For dynasty purposes, though, this all can change very fast.
Deebo Samuel’s contract is up after 2025, and the team has an out after the 2024 season. George Kittle turns 30 this year, and the team also has an out in his contract after 2024.
It’s possible we look up in two years, and Aiyuk is the top weapon in this offense.
The 49ers have positioned themselves where Aiyuk’s rookie contract is up after 2024. The team has outs in Kittle and Samuel’s contracts at the same time. Maybe this hints at their plans for Aiyuk. He could also sign a lucrative contract elsewhere and instantly become a team’s number-one option.
Aiyuk is an immensely talented player. His situation is murky, but special players can rise above questionable circumstances. He’s one of the best receivers in the game.
Most fantasy players don’t realize it because they only judge talent on box scores. Exploit this and get him on your roster before he fully breaks out.
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