Madden NFL 24 ratings reveal how Brandon Aiyuk is still underrated

It's a video game, but EA Sports' Madden NFL 24 could have done a better job ranking 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Despite being the San Francisco 49ers' leading receiver a season ago, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk still has yet to establish himself as a household name.

The Niners' other top pass-catching weapons -- Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey -- are all very well-known commodities. Aiyuk isn't there.

At least not yet. He thinks he'll be, and that's potentially scary for the rest of the NFL.

Still, most pundits would like at the multifaceted Samuel as San Francisco's No. 1 wide receiver, even though it's fair to argue that Aiyuk is now the better "pure" wideout when comparing the two.

Regardless, cue up EA Sports' Madden NFL franchise as the latest entity that still views Samuel as superior to Aiyuk in their rankings for the 2024 version of the hit video game.

Madden NFL 24 ranks 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk high, but not high enough (in specific categories)

Monday, July 17, is the date when Madden releases player rankings. Despite it being a video game, there will inevitably be snubs, overreactions and questions about the validity of some players being in the sought-after "99 club," whose players are ranked at the highest possible mark of 99.

Aiyuk's ranking was a respectable 86, which isn't bad. That puts him 21st out of all listed receivers.

However, when scrolling through some of his individual skills, Aiyuk isn't allowed to stand out. If anything, when looking at his individual skills, it's possible to see why the fourth-year receiver is so underappreciated.

Kyle Madson of Niners Wire explained in further detail:

"The bigger issue with Aiyuk’s rating comes with a zoom in on some individual skills. Madden rates deep route running, medium route running and short route running. Aiyuk didn’t land in the top 10 in any of those categories.

Not including Aiyuk as a top 10 deep route runner is fine. That’s not something the 49ers use very often and their passing game focuses more on the short and intermediate areas.

On the other hand, there aren’t many receivers who spend more time and create more space than Aiyuk on short or medium routes."

Madson also shared this tweet of Aiyuk, operating from the strong-side slot, putting an Atlanta Falcons defender on ice skates:

Read more: Was Brandon Aiyuk actually pissed off at the 49ers?

Samuel, meanwhile, ranked inside the top 20 at No. 12, right behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans and above Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson was the lone wide receiver to receive a 99 rating.

Perhaps after what could easily be a truly dominant 2023 season, Aiyuk might find himself fully immersed in the 90s club.

Maybe, just maybe a 99, too.

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