Biggest winners, losers from 49ers’ moves in 2023 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Winner: 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
San Francisco announced it was going to pick up the fifth-year option for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, meaning he’ll be around not only for the 2023 season but into 2024 as well, and that money will be fully guaranteed.
Granted, keeping both Aiyuk and All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel locked up for the long run is going to be awfully difficult, and it could be a reality that one of the two is moved after this upcoming season.
However, Aiyuk seems to win here because the 49ers didn’t spend serious draft capital on a would-be replacement despite there being plenty of good-level wide receivers available in the middle rounds. Sure, the Niners grabbed former Michigan wideout Ronnie Bell toward the end of Round 7, but he figures to be a depth piece to round out the bottom end of the roster at most.
Not a player who’d threaten Aiyuk’s spot on the team for the long run.
For now, Aiyuk is safe within San Francisco’s roster for the next two seasons with little challenge.