Brandon Aiyuk is a favorite to be the San Francisco 49ers' breakout player of 2023. Last season, the wide receiver surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career, hauling in eight receiving touchdowns along the way.
Teammates, fans, and the media aren't the only ones predicting a big year for the fourth-year wideout.
"I'm about to take off," Aiyuk declared last week. "That's it. ... We all know it's football. Nothing's ever guaranteed, but just getting a better understanding for my life as a person, and then as a football player, kind of putting those things together and then just looking to get better.
"I feel like, now, having another offseason [to build upon], coming out here again for another OTA spring ball, whatever you want to call it, being able to work with those guys, being able to work on my craft, being able to get better and just continue to look to get better. That's really it."
San Francisco drafted Aiyuk (6-0, 200) out of Arizona State with the No. 25 overall pick in 2020. He has caught 194 passes for 2,589 yards and 18 touchdowns in 46 game appearances (44 starts) through his three NFL seasons.
Third-year cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, the frontrunner to be the starter opposite Charvarius Ward, admits that Aiyuk has been the toughest receiver to cover this offseason.
"We've been having our battles since college (both played in the Pac-12)," Lenoir told reporters on Wednesday. "He's going to be a top-five receiver in this league this year. He's going to put everybody on notice. I feel like he's been so underrated. He really don't get the credit that he deserves."
How does covering Aiyuk this offseason compare to previous years?
"He's more smooth on his brakes," Lenoir shared. "His release package is unmatched."
The 49ers wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Wednesday. Most players will get away for the summer before returning to Santa Clara for training camp in late July. If Aiyuk keeps trending upward leading to the start of the regular season, the receiver could be setting himself up for his most impressive NFL campaign yet.
