Brandon Aiyuk (WR, SF) - 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Sleeper

4 years ago by Nick Mariano

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BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~160 Overall

CURRENT ADP: ~174

ANALYSIS: If there is anything we can trust and use when projecting rookies for their freshman seasons in the NFL that is the draft position. The 49ers selected Aiyuk with the 25th draft pick, a first-rounder that is, which means the Arizona State product will undoubtedly be involved in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He’ll be third fiddle behind George Kittle and Deebo Samuel (once the latter is healthy again -- which is not a given) and requires some polish, but should see the field often as San Fran’s No. 2 wideout. With Samuel out, Aiyuk will open the year as the No. 1 option and that will give him a good chance at building rapport and momentum for the further stages of the season.

Last season’s No. 2, Emmanuel Sanders, had a 17% target share while Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis, and Marquise Goodwin all settled around 8-9%. With Goodwin gone, Pettis unimpressive, and Jalen Hurd most probably done for the year after tearing his ACL a few days ago, Bourne is the only player poised to become a threat for Aiyuk in the offense. If that doesn't cheer you up, I don't even know.

In the latest run of projections by PFF Aiyuk is expected to reach 100+ PPR points which would see him rack up 460 yards on 36 receptions including 3 TDs. That is, without considering Hurd being out for the year and Deebo missing who-knows-how-much time. Aiyuk is the clear-cut WR2 of this offense and the WR1 to start the year. He projects to a 12.3% target share next season over the full 16-game schedule.

Currently getting off boards at WR63, he has the upside to finish inside the top-50 players at the position if we combine Samuel's and Hurd's injuries giving him more chances down the road. That means you can get a potential WR3/FLEX option in the last or second to last rounds of your draft. Go ahead and get him early. At the very least he will have a good start to the year and if he doesn't work you could always be able to ditch him after not paying a lot for him.