Key advice from one receiver to another
Following standout rookie campaign, Samuel provides lessons for Aiyuk
“I gave him a call and just said, ‘Hey, man, I just want you to know that it’s going to take time.’ ” Deebo Samuel, 49ers wide receiver, on his call to rookie Brandon Aiyuk
The wide receiver who was the No. 36 pick in last year’s NFL draft recently called the wide receiver who was the No. 25 pick in last month’s NFL draft.
Deebo Samuel’s message for his new teammate, 49ers rookie Brandon Aiyuk?
“I told him, “‘I know how hard it is to be a pro and to be as good as you want to be in this offense without thinking,’ ” Samuel said. “So I gave him a call and just said, ‘Hey, man, I just want you to know that it’s going to take time.’ ”
Say this: The 49ers would be thrilled if Aiyuk gradually picks up the offense like Samuel did last year.
In 2019, Samuel flourished after a quiet start and capped his standout debut season by being mentioned as an MVP candidate after the first half of the 49ers’ loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.
Samuel had 575 of his 802 receiving yards — 77% — in the final eight games of his 15game season. Samuel’s receiving yards were the most by a 49ers rookie since Jerry Rice in 1985 (927) and he set a franchise rookie record with three 100yard receiving games. Samuel led NFL wide receivers in rushing yards (159) and rushing touchdowns (three) and set a Super Bowl record for rushing yards (53) by a wideout.
“In the beginning of the year, I was still kind of learning and still kind of figuring things out,” Samuel said. “But as the season goes on, you progress and you become better at listening to the verbiage. Knowing where to line up, getting lined up faster and not thinking as much.”
Samuel acknowledged Aiyuk’s learning curve probably will be steeper because he won’t be able to participate in offseason practices with all team facilities closed during the coronavirus
pandemic.
Last year, Samuel also had a lessthanideal start to his NFL career, although it was selfinflicted. He reported for the offseason program overweight after he was drafted, which was an issue he had at South Carolina.
It sounds as if that won’t be a problem when he reports for training camp, which is scheduled to start in late July. Samuel is working out in Houston with running back Jerick McKinnon at a gym coowned by Washington running back Adrian Peterson and 49ers left tackle Trent Williams.
“Oh my goodness,” Samuel said. “Training with these guys is probably one of the hardest workouts I’ve been doing since I’ve been playing football.”
It’s possible Samuel and other teammates will meet with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for throwing sessions before training camp.
That could be the first time Samuel and Aiyuk meet in person. During the offseason program, their contact has been limited because rookies are conducting their virtual meetings separately from veterans.
Samuel has advised him to absorb as much as possible from afar.
“‘You just need to lock in and pay attention,’ ” Samuel recounted telling Aiyuk. “‘I know it’s hard. If you need anything, you can feel free to call me.’ ”