This year almost certainly will be the 49ers’ final season with both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel on their roster.
But for now, the 49ers are the only team in the NFL that has two top 10 wide receivers, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranks Brandon Aiyuk no. 8 and Deebo Samuel no. 10.
“A devastating route runner and explosive threat,” writes PFF analyst Sam Monson, “Brandon Aiyuk is one of the most efficient receivers in the game whose overall numbers are held back only by the offense he plays in and the sheer quantity of other options within it. Passes thrown his way last season generated a 126.8 passer rating.”
You can see why Aiyuk is holding out for more money than the 49ers have offered him. He feels he sacrificed statistics for the good of the team and that the 49ers should reward him. Unfortunately for him, PFF ranked him one spot behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, who recently signed a contract extension with the Lions.
“One of the most difficult players to place in abstract terms, Deebo Samuel is a unique weapon,” writes Monson. “Part running back, part receiver and all playmaker, he led the league with 32 broken tackles last year, 10 more than any other receiver. His absences from the lineup due to injury also coincided with the 49ers’ biggest wobbles during the season.”
Samuel clearly is on the downside of his career, and yet he scored a whopping 12 touchdowns last season, so he’s crucial to the 49ers offense.
You’d think with two top 10 wide receivers, the 49ers wouldn’t rank dead last in pass attempts last season, but they did.
It’s time for their offense to become more balanced.