49ers top 5 players on roster under 25 years old
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk
While he might not be on the same tier as Minnesota Vikings 2020 rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the 49ers’ own first-round wideout, Brandon Aiyuk, should still be considered a star in the making after his impressive rookie campaign that resulted in 60 receptions for 748 yards and five receiving touchdowns last year.
Over just 12 games, too. It’s crazy to think Aiyuk was threatening Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s franchise record for most receiving yards by a Niners rookie (927 set back in 1985).
OK, different eras and Rice wasn’t quite a prolific rookie. But Aiyuk’s season was shortened because of COVID and injuries, and the ASU standout also had three different quarterbacks trying to get him the ball.
Related Story: Why Brandon Aiyuk emerges as a star in 2021
Heading into 2021, Aiyuk should have far more favorable a context with which to work. Quarterbacking consistency, a deeper and healthier crop of offensive weapons and an increased immersion into San Francisco’s offense all combine to make Aiyuk a serious threat to any NFL secondary this season and beyond.
And it’s wild to think Aiyuk just turned 23 years old. There are a lot of reasons why he could easily crest 1,000 receiving yards this season while cementing himself as the 49ers’ true No. 1 wide receiver.