49ers training camp: 5 early risers impressing the most

No. 3: 49ers Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk

There might have been a small debate about who San Francisco’s No. 1 wide receiver is heading into 2021, Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. But after a week-plus time, there’s no debate anymore.

It’s Aiyuk.

With Samuel missing a bit of time here and there with minor injuries, Aiyuk has been the prime wide receiver throughout practices, and Niners Wire’s Kyle Madson didn’t hesitate to sing the second-year pro’s praises:

"Aiyuk’s name has come up a ton from reports on practice, and he’s shown up making circus catches in a ton of the team’s videos on social media. He finished last year on track to be the team’s top WR this year, and there’s nothing early in camp that points to him falling off in Year 2 the way some other 49ers receivers have after a strong first season."

Unlike the first two players named on this list, there’s no doubting where Aiyuk will fall on the 49ers depth chart. He’ll be a starter, and it’s not even too important whether or not he actually ranks over Samuel. Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense isn’t formulated that way.

What is important, however, is for Aiyuk to continue his maturation as one of the Niners quarterbacks’ favorite targets, whoever winds up being the starter come the regular season.