Brandon Aiyuk is a 49er! Pick #25, 2020 NFL Draft

Originally posted by Heroism:

A lot of those "concerns" are dumb.

-One year production because he was behind N'Keal Harry.

-Limited experience in the slot is a concern? wut

-College defenses don't play press. Can't see something that doesn't exist very much in any conference. Draftniks said the same thing about Deebo.

-No s**t the WCO terminology is going to be a learning curve--it is for every prospect, even NFL vets. Deebo came out of the SEC and admitted he struggled with the terminology.

That's one of the pitfalls with media nowadays--everyone can have a platform, even the ones who shouldn't.

Definitely some normal concerns coming in as with any prospect into the NFL and into a complicated system. Much was, like you said, out of his control too but natural concerns get allayed with time and experience at the NFL level. I listed all but only 2-3 'real' concerns for me at this stage.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Brian Peacock had a real nice objective podcast breakdown of Aiyuk's strengths and weaknesses.

7. Poor contested catches, only caught 3 of 14 in his career.

I wish there was a video to show those 14 plays. Not all opportunities to make a contested catch are equal. I have another concern. It says he's 22, but why he look 32?

It's the Mike McGlinchey-factor. Our FO targets those guys.

That's a PFF stat so unsure how they operationally define that one.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Brian Peacock had a real nice objective podcast breakdown of Aiyuk's strengths and weaknesses.

7. Poor contested catches, only caught 3 of 14 in his career.

I wish there was a video to show those 14 plays. Not all opportunities to make a contested catch are equal. I have another concern. It says he's 22, but why he look 32?

Cause he has to look the part, replacing a 32 year old Sanders

Originally posted by qnnhan7:

Cause he has to look the part, replacing a 32 year old Sanders

Haha. I like this one better!

Originally posted by thl408:
I have another concern. It says he's 22, but why he look 32?

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Brian Peacock had a real nice objective podcast breakdown of Aiyuk's strengths and weaknesses.

It covered many of the same concerns I had for Pettis coming out of the PAC12 with one major difference; drive.

I wanted to list those "concerns" here so fans can keep an eye out for growth in these areas as well as develop realistic expectations for him. Again, these are just "concerns"...common to any rookie coming into the NFL:

1. Arms the length of a 6'7" player but doesn't play like that and in fact, let's a lot of balls come into the body; needs to become more of a hands catcher to utilize that big advantage including 40" vertical leaping.
2. One real year of production including as a kick returner. Raw but not a project.
3. Teams scouted him to be a CB. Went to Arizona State so he could play WR.
4. Core muscle surgery after the combine.
5. Limited experience in the slot.
6. PAC12 competition and DB's were garbage. Best competition he had was against Utah (CB drafted) and he had 1 catch for 7 yards.
7. Poor contested catches, only caught 3 of 14 in his career.
8. Some false steps like Pettis throwing off timing.
9. Did not see much press coverage and when he did, it wasn't good.
10. WCO terminology is going to be a huge learning curve for him.

We already know all his strengths!

A lot of those "concerns" are dumb.

-One year production because he was behind N'Keal Harry.

-Limited experience in the slot is a concern? wut

-College defenses don't play press. Can't see something that doesn't exist very much in any conference. Draftniks said the same thing about Deebo.

-No s**t the WCO terminology is going to be a learning curve--it is for every prospect, even NFL vets. Deebo came out of the SEC and admitted he struggled with the terminology.

That's one of the pitfalls with media nowadays--everyone can have a platform, even the ones who shouldn't.

Yeah I've stopped listening to that podcast...it's more fun 49er talk, than real knowledgeable football being discussed.

I had some concerns with Aiyuk like the lack of film of him making contested catches and not playing vs press (Like you said not much of that in college) I brought up the Utah game (I can't find his reps anywhere), but apparently his QB got crushed all game. I'd like to see his routes against that defense vs the stat sheet. Was he getting open? I do think level of competition is important when evaluating.

I simply had other WRs graded higher than him, he's still talented and a great fit for this offense end of the day...I'm still not a fan of moving up for him, but he's a niner, so i'll root for him!

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by NCommand:
Brian Peacock had a real nice objective podcast breakdown of Aiyuk's strengths and weaknesses.

It covered many of the same concerns I had for Pettis coming out of the PAC12 with one major difference; drive.

I wanted to list those "concerns" here so fans can keep an eye out for growth in these areas as well as develop realistic expectations for him. Again, these are just "concerns"...common to any rookie coming into the NFL:

1. Arms the length of a 6'7" player but doesn't play like that and in fact, let's a lot of balls come into the body; needs to become more of a hands catcher to utilize that big advantage including 40" vertical leaping.
2. One real year of production including as a kick returner. Raw but not a project.
3. Teams scouted him to be a CB. Went to Arizona State so he could play WR.
4. Core muscle surgery after the combine.
5. Limited experience in the slot.
6. PAC12 competition and DB's were garbage. Best competition he had was against Utah (CB drafted) and he had 1 catch for 7 yards.
7. Poor contested catches, only caught 3 of 14 in his career.
8. Some false steps like Pettis throwing off timing.
9. Did not see much press coverage and when he did, it wasn't good.
10. WCO terminology is going to be a huge learning curve for him.

We already know all his strengths!

A lot of those "concerns" are dumb.

-One year production because he was behind N'Keal Harry.

-Limited experience in the slot is a concern? wut

-College defenses don't play press. Can't see something that doesn't exist very much in any conference. Draftniks said the same thing about Deebo.

-No s**t the WCO terminology is going to be a learning curve--it is for every prospect, even NFL vets. Deebo came out of the SEC and admitted he struggled with the terminology.

That's one of the pitfalls with media nowadays--everyone can have a platform, even the ones who shouldn't.

its almost as if we should universally have concerns as young players move their scale of experience to a profession league and adjust our expectations accordingly.

I dunno....maybe we could even come up with a label to give these players to separate them experienced veterans......

Maybe we can get really fancy and derive the word from Latin, like the white robe types do. We could make a word that carries double meaning.... like the derivative of Recruit.... Something that means you have to learn on the job like the latin word Rook. Something that implies your new-ness to the job at hand and lets everyone know your still learning.

Eh....might be too complicated

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Yeah I've stopped listening to that podcast...it's more fun 49er talk, than real knowledgeable football being discussed.

I had some concerns with Aiyuk like the lack of film of him making contested catches and not playing vs press (Like you said not much of that in college) I brought up the Utah game (I can't find his reps anywhere), but apparently his QB got crushed all game. I'd like to see his routes against that defense vs the stat sheet. Was he getting open? I do think level of competition is important when evaluating.

I simply had other WRs graded higher than him, he's still talented and a great fit for this offense end of the day...I'm still not a fan of moving up for him, but he's a niner, so i'll root for him!

Understandable.

I just think like it as Kyle would. And all those points are still concerns, many because there just isn't sufficient film, the offense in general, opportunities, competition, etc. Maybe "concerns" isn't the right word...maybe question marks or strictly, N/A's or TBD.

Obviously if he was a 4 year starter at the highest level putting up the highest production against now-NFL players too, much of this list would go away.

The short of the story here is, like Pettis, he's projecting on limited film here that he wished wasn't the case. But if that was the case, he would have gone much higher.

It could take Brandon some time to learn the offense. Hopefully Hurd learned a good bit while hurt last season.

Originally posted by NCommand:
Understandable.

I just think like it as Kyle would. And all those points are still concerns, many because there just isn't sufficient film, the offense in general, opportunities, competition, etc. Maybe "concerns" isn't the right word...maybe question marks or strictly, N/A's or TBD.

Obviously if he was a 4 year starter at the highest level putting up the highest production against now-NFL players too, much of this list would go away.

The short of the story here is, like Pettis, he's projecting on limited film here that he wished wasn't the case. But if that was the case, he would have gone much higher.

Right and he'd probably be a top 10 pick...you could also say like Deebo as well

Originally posted by TheXFactor:
It could take Brandon some time to learn the offense. Hopefully Hurd learned a good bit while hurt last season.

Yeah I expect that with just about any rookie playing WR for us.

I think he will be used in the same fashion as Deebo at the beginning of his rookie yr as well. screens/slants/motion plays, anything to get the ball to him in space. build up that confidence.

Lining him up at that split end spot trying to beat press all game isn't something he should have to do right out the gate (unless they feel he's ready for it).

i think youre right. probably gonna be Deebo and Taylor or Hurd as the starters unless Aiyuk is a really fast learner. no traditional offseason at an already steep learning curve position is gonna be rough to come in and have an impact right away

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by TheXFactor:

It could take Brandon some time to learn the offense. Hopefully Hurd learned a good bit while hurt last season.

Yeah I expect that with just about any rookie playing WR for us.

I think he will be used in the same fashion as Deebo at the beginning of his rookie yr as well. screens/slants/motion plays, anything to get the ball to him in space. build up that confidence.

Lining him up at that split end spot trying to beat press all game isn't something he should have to do right out the gate (unless they feel he's ready for it).

Absolutely see it this way too.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Right and he'd probably be a top 10 pick...you could also say like Deebo as well

Exactly. The Senior Bowl massively helped them there. This one is more on the projection line with Pettis film in the PAC12 but with true insight into his character and drive with help from Herm. That can't be understated. That drive is going to get him through a lot of the TBD items.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Right and he'd probably be a top 10 pick...you could also say like Deebo as well

Exactly. The Senior Bowl massively helped them there. This one is more on the projection line with Pettis film in the PAC12 but with true insight into his character and drive with help from Herm. That can't be understated. That drive is going to get him through a lot of the TBD items.

I know Ayiuk was suppose to be at the SB, he was one guy I really wanted to see in the drills (probably good for us end of the day). He did still generate some buzz there though.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/brandon-aiyuk-senior-bowl-buzz-status/

Yeah he's in no way like Pettis from a moxie/drive standpoint. I'm not worried about that. I just felt there was better talent at the WR position and that's not knocking him because he's good.