It looks like the San Francisco 49ers struck gold at wide receiver for the second consecutive year. It was Deebo Samuel in 2019, and in 2020, the Bay Area team landed another versatile wideout via the draft in Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk finished the season with 60 receptions for 748 yards with five touchdowns. He added six carries for 77 rushing yards and another two scores on the ground.
The superb first year was enough to land Aiyuk on Pro Football Focus' 2020 NFL All-Rookie Team.
"The 49ers struck again," wrote Ben Linsey. "Aiyuk is in the same mold as the George Kittles and the Deebo Samuelses added to San Francisco's roster in recent years — he's a dynamic player with the ball in his hands and dangerous after the catch."
Aiyuk's first-year statistics were enough to rank him No. 2 in franchise history when it comes to receptions by a rookie (behind Earl Cooper's 83 in 1980), and No. 3 in reception yards by a rookie (Jerry Rice - 927, Deebo Samuel - 802). The young receiver's five touchdowns on the season tie him for the second-most in 49ers history (behind Dave Parks' eight in 1964).
"His 80.8 receiving grade on the season trailed only (Justin) Jefferson among rookies," Linsey continued, "and he got to that mark as the top option in the passing game for a 49ers team that was hammered with injuries for much of the season. Aiyuk's relatively modest totals of 60 receptions for 748 yards and five receiving touchdowns were all top marks for San Francisco this season.
"A more stable quarterback situation in 2021 and a healthier 49ers offense should only help Aiyuk moving forward."