Aiyuk would be a Fantasy monster if he garnered more than the 6.6 targets per game he had in 2023, but he's still a borderline top-12 WR even without the mega-volume. That's because he proved to be among the most efficient receivers in the NFL last season, ranking top three at the position in yards per catch (17.9), yards per route run (3.06), yards per target (12.8 was tops in football) and explosive reception rate (a gain of at least 16 yards on 35.2% of his grabs, way ahead of the rest in the league). The best part is that of Aiyuk's 37 receptions of 16-plus yards, a dozen were on short receptions that Aiyuk turned upfield on for longer gains. It suggests Aiyuk is more than just a deep-ball receiver, though it is those splash plays that helped him land some dominant weeks last year (four with 20-plus PPR). A lift in targets would do so much more for him, and it's a possibility not only because of his talent and value to the Niners but also because of the ages of both Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, both of whom take targets away. Tack on Aiyuk playing in a contract year and you have the potential for a humongous season. Aiyuk is worth rolling the dice on in Round 3 in all leagues.
Aiyuk is present at training camp Wednesday but isn't dressed for practice, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Though he's reported from training camp, Aiyuk looks to be "holding in" and thus abstaining from team drills as he continues to look for a contract extension. Coming off a breakout season in which he put up a 75-1,342-7 receiving line on 105 targets in 15 games, Aiyuk has expressed frustration with the fact that he remains without a long-term deal, and he went so far as to officially request a trade prior to the start of camp. Still, considering Aiyuk's lack of leverage, the most likely outcome remains that he plays out the 2024 season in a 49ers uniform, whether on the fifth-year option on his rookie contract or a new deal.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Reporting to training camp
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Aiyuk, who officially requested a trade last week, is present for the start of 49ers training camp Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Aiyuk will be among veterans reporting to team facilities despite his outspoken desire for a new contract and recent request for a trade. Showing up will allow the wideout to avoid fines, as teams are required to penalize players on their rookie contracts $40,000 per day missed of camp, but he could still opt to work on the sidelines rather than participate in on-field team drills. That wouldn't be a surprising choice, as it would allow Aiyuk to maintain some leverage and avoid injury despite being physically present. Commanders GM Adam Peters said Tuesday that Aiyuk is unlikely to end up in Washington via trade, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports. He has also been the linked the Steelers, Patriots and Broncos among others in trade rumors, but the most likely outcome is still that Aiyuk plays out the season with the 49ers before reaching free agency.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: No trade to Washington expected
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Commanders GM Adam Peters said Aiyuk is unlikely to end up in Washington, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.
Frustrated with extension contract negotiations, Aiyuk requested a trade earlier this month. Washington has been oft-mentioned as a fit due to the wideout's friendship with the Commanders' new franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels as well as the team's shaky wideout depth behind Terry McLaurin, but it doesn't sound like the front office has any expectation of making such a splashy trade before the start of the season. Scheduled to play out 2024 under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, Aiyuk may hold out from training camp even though he'd accrue $50,000 in mandatory fines each day.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Officially requests trade
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Aiyuk officially requested a trade from the 49ers on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Aiyuk's trade requests follows a tumultuous offseason, and though his recent meeting with the team was reported to have gone well, the star wideout is now looking to force San Francisco's hand with training camp just around the corner. It now seems realistic that Aiyuk, who is currently positioned to play out the 2024 season on a $14.12 million salary under the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, could hold out of training camp if no trade comes quickly to fruition. The 49ers selected Ricky Pearsall in the first round of April's draft, giving the team a pivot option behind top wideout Deebo Samuel should Aiyuk move on, and also brought back Jauan Jennings on a two-year deal.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Meeting with Niners goes well
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Aiyuk and the 49ers had a meeting Monday that Tom Pelissero of NFL Network described as "good," and both sides are continuing to work toward a contract extension, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.
Aiyuk, who held out of mandatory minicamp earlier this month, requested a meeting with San Francisco roughly one week after posting a video in which he told Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, whom he played with at Arizona State, that the 49ers "said they don't want me back," per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. It seems things have landed in a more amicable place following Monday's most recent meeting, though there still aren't any signs that an agreement on a new contract is immediately around the corner. As it stands, Aiyuk remains in line to play under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract for $14.12 million for 2025, but if that doesn't change by the start of training camp tensions could come to a head, especially if he continues to hold out. The 26-year-old is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns and has been one of the most efficient wide receivers in the league in Kyle Shanahan offenses.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Holding out from minicamp
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Aiyuk is not present at 49ers' minicamp this week as he seeks a new contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
This was expected after Aiyuk didn't report for voluntary OTAs following an offseason full of trade speculation. The wideout ultimately wasn't traded, and the two sides have reportedly engaged in dialogue regarding a new deal, though nothing has seemed to advance further than the talking stage. Aiyuk is scheduled for a $14.124 million salary in 2024, the final year of his rookie deal. He's one of the many receivers around the league set to be paid handsomely, although it's unclear if San Francisco will ultimately be the team signing the checks.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Likely staying in Bay Area
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49ers GM John Lynch recently told ESPN's Pat McAfee Show that he doesn't want to trade Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel despite taking Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Trade rumors earlier in the offseason centered on Aiyuk, who is scheduled to play out 2024 under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. After the Niners drafted Pearsall, a few reporters suggested Samuel was actually more likely to be moved, in which case the Niners presumably would place greater emphasis on signing Aiyuk to a long-term deal. It now appears both will stay with the team this season, as will returning No. 3 receiver Jauan Jennings. That's not a guarantee, but it at least seems more likely that spring 2025 will be the break-up date for San Francisco's veteran WR corps. Aiyuk and Jennings are only under contract through 2024, while Samuel has two more years on his deal but no guaranteed money after this season.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Discussing deal with team
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GM John Lynch said Monday that the 49ers are having "good talks" with Aiyuk, who hasn't been at the team facility for the offseason program, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Aiyuk is unlikely to show up for voluntary workouts without a new contract in hand, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll hold out from mandatory minicamp in June if the two sides haven't reached an agreement by then. The 26-year-old's agent denied reports of a trade request last weekend, and it sounds like there's still hope for a long-term contract heading into the fifth and final year of Aiyuk's rookie deal. He's scheduled to make $14.12 million under the fifth-year option, whereas a multi-year deal likely would entail a large signing bonus and an annual average value well north of $20 million. Making it work for the 2024 season isn't an issue, but the Niners may be hesitant to pay Aiyuk at market value long term when they already have six players scheduled for cap hits north of $20 million in 2025, including WR Deebo Samuel and TE George Kittle. Even then, it's a workable situation, as they've got a starting QB on a late-round-rookie contract and don't owe large sums of guaranteed money beyond the current year to anyone besides DE Nick Bosa.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Team denies trade rumors
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GM John Lynch said Monday that the 49ers have not engaged in trade discussions regarding Aiyuk and that both sides continue to have active talks about a contract extension, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Lynch also noted that San Francisco would be amicable to Aiyuk simply playing out the 2024 season on his fifth-year option, an outcome that would position the young wideout to hit free agency next offseason. The 2020 first-round pick recorded a 75-1,342-7 receiving line across 16 regular-season games last year, and while his skills certainly are central to the 49ers offense and Brock Purdy's continued success, the team is tight against the cap with a star-studded list of skill-position players that also includes WR Deebo Samuel, RB Christian McCaffrey and TE George Kittle (groin). Trade rumors may continue to surround Aiyuk this offseason even after Lynch's denial, but considering San Francisco's status as a win-now roster and high-end contender in the NFC, the team likely places extreme value on the 26-year-old wideout's continued presence, even if only for the short term.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Team seeking extension
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49ers general manager John Lynch said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team wants to sign Aiyuk to a long-term contract extension, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Lynch spoke strongly about Aiyuk's future, saying "we've got a nice track record of extending guys and [Aiyuk] is a guy we'd like to keep around." Now entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, and coming off a standout 75-1,342-7 receiving line across 16 games in 2023, the wideout will be set for a big payday regardless of what team he ends up with. Aiyuk has improved upon his yardage and touchdown totals each season in the NFL, so it wouldn't be unheard of for him to take another step forward during the 2024 campaign.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Gains 49 yards in SB loss
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Aiyuk had three receptions (on six targets) for 49 yards in a 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.
Aiyuk made an impact on a couple of lengthy receptions in Sunday's narrow loss, but it wasn't enough to stop Patrick Mahomes and company from winning back-to-back Lombardi Trophies. Aiyuk's fantasy season was a success after posting a 75-1,342-7 receiving line across 16 starts with San Francisco. Now entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, another season of strong output from the dynamic wideout should be expected as Aiyuk looks to earn his first big-bank contract.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Channels ladybug luck for TD
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Aiyuk had three receptions (on eight targets) for 68 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-31 playoff win over the Lions.
Aiyuk finished with three receptions for the second consecutive playoff game, but he was far more productive this time around compared to the 3-32-0 line he posted against the Packers in the divisional round. The athletic wideout made his mark on the highlight reel when he caught a pass that caromed off of both the hands and helmet of a diving Detroit defender before a leaping Aiyuk secured it for a 51-yard gain. Quarterback Brock Purdy awarded his receiver's efforts with a short touchdown pass just a few plays later. After the game Aiyuk was asked about the absurd catch, to which he credited a ladybug landing on his foot during pregame warmups. The 49ers are hoping to channel more of that luck when the team prepares to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Little work in Week 18
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Aiyuk finished with three receptions on four targets for 25 yards in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams.
Aiyuk was one of only two key offensive players to suit up for the 49ers in a game that did not affect the team's standing as the NFC's No. 1 seed. Both he and Deebo Samuel got light work with three touches apiece while Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle all sat this one out. Aiyuk concludes the 2023 regular season with a new career high in receiving yards (1,332) to go along with 75 receptions and seven touchdowns. The budding star will now turn to the upcoming postseason, which will commence for San Francisco on either Jan. 20 or Jan. 21.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Bounces back in big way
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Aiyuk hauled in six of his seven targets for 113 yards in Monday's 33-19 loss to the Ravens.
Aiyuk bounced back from his worst fantasy game to date in 2023 to record his sixth 100-yard game of the season. The Arizona State product also finished with the best catch rate (85.7 percent) out of San Francisco's quartet of playmakers on a night where quarterback Brock Purdy (stinger) uncharacteristically threw four interceptions before exiting late due to injury. Assuming his quarterback's removal from Monday's ugly loss was of the precautionary nature, Aiyuk could be in store for another big receiving line against Washington's 31st-ranked pass defense Sunday.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Lowest yardage total of 2023
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Aiyuk finished with three receptions on five targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 45-29 rout of the Cardinals.
Christian McCaffrey (three touchdowns) and Deebo Samuel (4-48-2) did the brunt of the damage in the box score Sunday, leaving little work for Aiyuk, who finished with his lowest yardage output in a single game this year. The 25-year-old was coming off of a five-game string of strong performances, so fantasy managers should continue to roll with the stud without hesitation. Aiyuk will attempt to bounce back when the 49ers host the Ravens for Monday Night Football in Week 16.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Surpasses century mark
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Aiyuk had six receptions on nine targets for 126 yards while also losing a fumble in Sunday's 28-16 win over Seattle.
Aiyuk was unable to extend his touchdown streak to five games, but he managed to record his fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season while also clinching the second 1,000-yard season of his young career. The route technician had a rare mistep early in the contest that resulted in an interception for quarterback Brock Purdy. Aiyuk's follies continued when he was gunning for a long touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter, only to have the ball punched out from behind by a trailing defender for the wideout's first fumble lost in 2023. The 25-year-old still spit out a solid fantasy line despite his mental miscues Sunday, highlighting how consistent and valuable the rising star has been week in and week out this season. Aiyuk will look to build on his new career high of 1,063 receiving yards when the 49ers take on the Cardinals next Sunday.
Aiyuk had five receptions on seven targets for 46 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-19 rout of the Eagles.
Aiyuk stayed hot with his fourth touchdown in as many weeks Sunday, bringing his season totals up to 50/927/6 in 11 games played. The 25-year-old's seven targets wound up leading the team after he was limited to just four against Seattle in Week 12. Aiyuk will attempt to extend his scoring streak to five games when the 49ers face the aforementioned Seahawks for the second time in three weeks next Sunday.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Makes most of two receptions
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Aiyuk had two receptions on four targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 31-13 win over the Seahawks.
Aiyuk's two catches finished as his lowest total through 10 active games this season, but the YAC monster still generated strong fantasy value despite Thursday's modest usage. The 25-year-old has produced at least 50 receiving yards and a touchdown in each of San Francisco's three games since returning from a bye. Aiyuk now sits 69 yards away from recording his second consecutive 1,000-yard season, but he will have to earn every one against Philadelphia's tough defense when the two NFC powerhouses meet Dec. 3, though it's worth noting Philadelphia's run defense has been much better than its pass defense this season.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Huge day against Bucs
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Aiyuk caught five of six targets for 156 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Buccaneers.
Despite the relatively low target volume, the fourth-year wideout set a new career high in receiving yards on the day, highlighted by a 76-yard TD catch from Brock Purdy early in the third quarter. Aiyuk has delivered triple-digit yardage in four of nine games so far in 2023, and he's on pace to shatter last year's career-best 1,015 yards.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Productive in upset loss
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Aiyuk brought in five of nine targets for 109 yards in the 49ers' 31-17 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Aiyuk finished second in receiving yards on the afternoon for the 49ers, eclipsing the century mark for the third time this season in the process. The fourth-year pro has been a solid component of the passing attack throughout the campaign, but he could see his targets take a bit of a hit if Deebo Samuel (shoulder) returns as expected for a Week 10 road matchup against the Jaguars following a Week 9 bye.
