49ers 2020 NFL Draft: 3 reasons Brandon Aiyuk is a schematic fit
No. 1: Open-Field Elusiveness
While Brandon Aiyuk has good size, speed and route-running abilities, he was undoubtedly targeted by the 49ers due to his skills with the ball in his hands. Aiyuk was one of the best, if not the best, catch-and-run receiver in the draft class. ASU ran a variety of short, quick-hitting routes and screens to get the ball in space and he took full advantage.
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Aiyuk is quicker than fast, shifty and possesses great open-field vision to allow him to turn short passes into long gains. He is adept at taking short passes, finding cutback lanes and accelerating for large gains. He is able to change direction with fluidity and without seeming to lose speed, and unlike other shifty ball carriers, Aiyuk is over 200 pounds and difficult to bring down.
It is worth noting Aiyuk was a running back in high school, and he runs like one with the ball in his hands.
All this taken together, is why Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said Aiyuk “considered the YAK (Yards After King) in college football.”
Obviously, Aiyuk’s open-field elusiveness fits well within Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme. Shanahan will put the ball in Aiyuk’s hands and give him an opportunity to make big plays, an opportunity for which Aiyuk is well-suited to take advantage.
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Expect to see Aiyuk running short, quick-hitting slants, crossing routes and bubble screens, allowing Aiyuk to get the ball in space and create chunk plays.