SF 49ers: 5 things that made Brandon Aiyuk so special in Week 3

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Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Brandon Aiyuk is not scared of going over the middle, just like another wide receiver on the SF 49ers roster, Deebo Samuel

Brandon Aiyuk and fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel will be a deadly combination for years to come, with both wide receivers not being scared of going over the middle. Going over the middle is what can separate wide receivers, especially in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.

Shanahan frequently asks his wide receivers to run crossers, off of play action, as well as slants. Slants have been a Shanahan favorite for years, however, the head coach has added a few new pages to his playbook to accommodate quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s preference to be in shotgun compared to being under center. This has meant the SF 49ers have run more RPOs (run-pass options), as well as play action from the shotgun.

The most frequently run route for the wide receivers on the RPOs, or even play action, has been the slant route.

With 8:06 to go in the third quarter, the SF 49ers had a 1st-and-10 on their own 25-yard line, and Shanahan called for play action from the shotgun.

Aiyuk was split out to the left. Nick Mullens received the snap, executed the play fake and threw a laser to Aiyuk, who was wide open running the slant.

A 14-yard gain.

Aiyuk wasn’t touched by anyone until after he had already gained the first down. This was Samuel’s role last season.

Now, the Niners have two wide receivers who can go over the middle, are tough and make defenders miss. Shanahan is going to have some fun when Samuel comes back from injury.