SF 49ers: 9 young players who should shine in 2021

SF 49ers WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk

Another set of obvious candidates, especially considering how both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk have alternated monstrous days of action. They’ve also alternated days of availability, which has deprived SF 49ers fans of seeing the two young receivers work in tandem. The one time they managed to play a full game together, they went up against the Buffalo Bills’ Tre’Davious White, one of the best corners in the game, so whoever White wasn’t on at that moment received the ball.

In analyzing the game against the WFT, I called Aiyuk the bonafide WR1 on the SF 49ers roster. While Aiyuk has shown a natural ability to dominate all levels of the field and does seem to ooze with talent, that statement does discount the ability of Samuel.

Both players have the capacity for YAC (yards after catch), a staple of the SF 49ers offense under Kyle Shanahan. Both players have showcased at various points their ability to produce down the field and make contested catches, though that ability has been hampered by quarterback play throughout their careers. Both players consistently get open with their releases.

But, Aiyuk and Samuel pose two different types of looks and attacks despite their differences. Samuel is burly, a running back trapped as a wide receiver. His toughness lends himself to run defenders over and manhandle the opposition. Aiyuk, on the other hand, is extremely fluid in the open field. Seen through his hurdle on Sunday Night Football against the Eagles, he runs past players with finesse and has, in my opinion, a cleaner release than Samuel.

Both players can do what the other does, yet both players offer their own unique talents to the offense, too.

This discussion of wide receivers shining comes implicitly with the discussion of quarterback performance. Although Deebo may be good at quick pitches and end-arounds, he is equally as good at slants and out routes, and he has flashed the ability to make plays on deep passes. Likewise with Aiyuk, who has been open down the field repeatedly but doesn’t get the ball. The offense may artificially limit their capabilities to work with the QB’s limitations.

That said, both Aiyuk and Deebo have the ability to be quite successful, and given their similarities and differences, they combined will wreak havoc on opposing defenses. Teams will have to pick their poison, and even then, they might pick wrong.

It’ll be an extension and hopefully an expansion of what has been seen in limited opportunities this year.