49ers’ Aiyuk has been a bright spot.
49ers coach’s ‘favorite receiver I evaluated’ in draft has confirmed boss’ discerning eye
Brandon Aiyuk or CeeDee
Lamb?
That’s who it came down to in Kyle Shanahan’s eyes in April’s receiver-rich draft.
The 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 catches, 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.”
Aiyuk could still surpass the 49ers rookie record set by Jerry Rice (927 yards, 1985) despite missing the opener (hamstring) and two other games (COVID-19 reserve list). Aiyuk has 660 yards and four TDs on 50 receptions.
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 38yard, acrobatic touchdown run against the Eagles, then his only other carry since then went for minus-8 yards at New Orleans last month.
As for Lamb, he has 61 catches, 742 yards and four TDs to complement Cowboys leading receiver Amari Cooper. Lamb’s 15-yard 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 TDs.
Shanahan said receivers typically take time to develop to the NFL’s physical nature and refined routes. Aiyuk’s Arizona State film had the coach 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.” POTENTIALREPLACEMENTIF SALEH LEAVES? >> This time next month, Robert Saleh could be introduced as a firsttime head coach in the NFL.
Who might replace him after four seasons as the 49ers defensive coordinator?
One name that kept coming up while Saleh talked about his defense Thursday was DeMeco Ryans, the 49ers linebackers coach and perhaps their best in-house, coordinator-in-waiting.
“DeMeco is well spoken. He’s got a lot of respect from his players. He’s incredibly intelligent. He’s a sponge for knowledge,” Saleh said. “Even though he played in the league, I see him taking notes every day.
Coach is talking, he’s taking notes. I’m talking, he’s taking notes. DB coach is talking, he’s taking notes.
“He’s an absolute sponge in that regard,” Saleh added. “It tells you he’s not just going to take a system and go; he’s going to evolve. Because of that, he’s got a really good chance to evolve and be a head coach one day.”
Ryans, 36, is in his third season coaching the 49ers’ inside linebackers after beginning in 2017 as a qualitycontrol coach. His mentorship has helped vault Fred Warner into All-Pro consideration while Dre Greenlaw has made several big plays in two seasons. DEFENSIVE STATS >> Saleh’s defense remains a top-10 unit in terms of yards allowed (fifth overall; fifth vs. pass, eighth vs. run). Last year, it ranked second overall, first vs. pass, 17th vs. run).
Opponents have converted on third down only 36.3% of the time, ranking the 49ers fourth and checking in similar to last year’s dominance (33.3%, tie for No. 2-ranked).
Where the 49ers are clearly less successful is their pass rush, having lost Nick Bosa and Dee Ford after two games. The 49ers rank 20th in sacks per attempt (5.5%) as compared to last year’s thirdranked pass rush (9.25%).
PRACTICE REPORT >> Running back Raheem Mostert returned to the 49ers practice field Thursday, an encouraging sign that he’ll play Sunday. His Cowboys counterpart, Ezekiel Elliott, did not practice a second straight day because of a calf injury.
Although Mostert’s imaging exams earlier this week were encouraging, he was held out of practice Wednesday to rest, and he returned in a limited capacity Thursday at the 49ers’ practice site in Glendale, Ariz.
ANOTHER COVID CASE >> Rookie running back Austin Walter is third 49er to go on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list this week. That string started with offensive line coach John Benton before Sunday’s game, and offensive lineman Colton McKivitz went on the list Wednesday.