SF gets look at alternate reality
49ers, who drafted WR Aiyuk, will try and shut down WR Lamb, Cowboys
Brandon Aiyuk or CeeDee
Lamb?
That’s who it came down to in Kyle Shanahan’s eyes in April’s receiver-rich draft.
The San Francisco 49ers traded up to select Aiyuk at No. 25 overall, once they used their top pick on defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (No. 14) to fill their primary need in replacing DeForest Buckner.
Three picks after Kinlaw, the Dallas Cowboys swooped in for Lamb.
Aiyuk and Lamb (and Kinlaw) have been bright spots amid their teams’ bleak last-place seasons. The 49ers (5-8) visit the Cowboys (4-9) on Sunday.
Aiyuk was the sixth and final receiver drafted in the first round. But he was “no doubt” No. 1 to Shanahan, who called him “my favorite receiver I evaluated.”
That’s what the 49ers coach and personnel czar said on draft day in April, when he revealed more about that decision:
“CeeDee Lamb was a ( heck) of a player who can make a lot of plays,” Shanahan said then. “I mean, I always keep it pretty real with you guys. And so, that was the guy who was in competition with him.
“But in terms of the receiver and just all the positions and developed, this guy (Aiyuk) was there from the first time we watched him.”
Everyone can see why, now. Aiyuk has averaged 99 receiving yards the past five games he’s played. He had career highs of 10 receptions, 16 targets and 119 yards in Sunday’s 23-15 loss to
Washington.
“I definitely wouldn’t say it was easy. I’ve been through a whole lot of stuff this season,” Aiyuk said. “It’s a credit to who we have in this building, with the players and coaches we have.”
Despite missing the opener ( hamstring) and two other games (COVIDreserve list), Aiyuk could still surpass the 49ers rookie record set by Jerry Rice (927 yards, 1985). Aiyuk has 660 yards (50 receptions, four touchdowns).
Deebo Samuel’s presumed season-ending hamstring injury Sunday will further entrench Aiyuk as a No. 1 receiver.
“He’s a dynamic player and he jumps off film still with the 49ers,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s been a great fit for them, been extremely productive and been a feature player in their passing game. Very, very impressed with Brandon.”
Although Aiyuk added punt returns to his repertoire the past two games, he hasn’t been used much as a rusher this season. Of his five carries (61 yards), three came in Week 3 against the Giants, followed by a 38-yard, acrobatic touchdown run against the Eagles, then his only other carry since then went for minus-8 yards at the Saints last month.
As for Lamb, he has 61 catches, 742 yards and four touchdowns to complement Cowboys’ leading receiver Amari Cooper. Lamb’s 15yard carry in Dallas’ win Sunday at Cincinnati was his eighth carry this season (60 yards).
The NFL’s most productive rookie receiver is Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, the 22nd pick who has 65 catches, 1,078 yards and seven touchdowns.
Shanahan said receivers typically take time to develop to the NFL’s physical nature and refined routes. Aiyuk’s Arizona State film had him expecting instant results, however.
“Aiyuk, you could just tell he was a pro, you could tell he was tough, you could tell how he ran routes how you thought he’d develop,” Shanahan said.
Don’t interpret that as a victory lap, however.
“Aiyuk’s having a very good season, doing a very good job for us and playing like more than a rookie,” Shanahan said. “But Aiyuk has not arrived yet. He can get a lot better. A lot.”
Kinlaw is convinced Aiyuk has arrived, stating after Sunday’s game: “He’s the man. You see what’s going on. He’s the man. No doubt.”