The player spotlight is an article series where I will dissect players that have a chance to breakout this season. I will dive into topics/players that the fantasy community is indifferent, unsettled or quite possibly overlooking. The first of my series is Brandon Aiyuk a talented wide receiver who people soured on after he didn’t quite deliver on his high draft capital last year. In this article I’m going to show you how his second half in 2021 should inspire you to draft and or trade for him before 2022. I’m also going to highlight a few other points that validate him as an under the radar WR1 candidate.

Third Year Breakout

The best part of this game was Archuleta mentioning how Trey Lance wasn’t able to generate any big plays on in breaking routes over the middle, just seconds before Brandon Aiyuk goes 42 yards on this play

pic.twitter.com/uF6gjadEHP

— Jordan Elliott (@JLeeElliott) January 3, 2022

The third year breakout is something that everyone is wanting from Aiyuk. As if his sophomore year was a total wash. So lets reflect on his second year in the league. Aiyuk got off to a rough start in the first six weeks, only averaging 2.6 targets a game with three games of two or less targets. Then Week 8 against the Bears happened, seven targets, four receptions and 45 yards. Not the best stand out performance but this marked the first of many games that helped propel Aiyuk back in relevance.

The second half of Aiyuk’s season saw him from Week 8 on as the WR14 in half point PPR. He averaged 6.18 targets/ game and had at least five targets in 10 of his final 11 games. Overall during this time period Deebo Samuel started rushing the ball more frequently and the Niners need someone to step up. Aiyuk did just that, as he had 10 more targets than Deebo during this stretch. Aiyuk turned it on during this stretch and made us want more. His 17 game pace: 105 targets, 74 receptions, 1,128 yards and six TDs. Putting these stats into the FF Simulated Calculator we get 150.50 points which puts him at WR17, above Tee Higgins, DJ Moore, Chris Godwin and Brandin Cooks.

I hope this can put some perspective on how good Aiyuk was in the back half of last year and if he can stay out of the “doghouse”. There is some serious potential for a third year breakout and could be a steal as the WR33 right now on Fantasy Pros. If I were you I would make him a priority in most drafts, before he becomes someone that everyone is targeting.

No Deebo, No Problem

Lets not forget that Brandon Aiyuk can also take screens to the house with ease. pic.twitter.com/PuWgO4oEdu

— Frank J. Dyevoich, Esq. (@Fantasy_Giant) April 20, 2022

Deebo Samuel was a huge part of this offense last year averaging 10 yards after the catch and a career high 18.2 yards per reception. He ran for touchdowns, he caught touchdowns and hell he even threw a touchdown. There’s no doubt if he ends up being traded that the team will miss his ability to make chicken soup out of chicken S***.

Thats where Aiyuk will step in, when the Niners drafted him in the first round out of Arizona State. That he would partner with Deebo and George Kittle to become the “Yac Brothers”. At Arizona State Aiyuk was a stud who had 18.3 Yards Per Reception (third in Pac-12). Ahead of Michel Pittman, Amon Ra St.Brown, Drake London and Laviska Shenault. Another couple stats he was a leader in are avg kick return yards (31.9) and punt return yards (18.1). This skillset came in handy on the back half of his season as he averaged 6.89 Yac from Week 8 on.

Deebo’s was an irreplaceable component of this offense last season, but if the Niners need to look elsewhere for talent then Aiyuk is prime for that spot. He possesses the open field skills to make players miss tackles as seen by 19.7% Juke rate, thanks to Player Profiler. Overall If Deebo is out I feel comfortable with the Forty Niners gameplan for Aiyuk.

The Future is Working Hard

Trey Lance and Brandon Aiyuk are putting in work. You love to see it! #49ers

🎥: jevaughn_pinnock | IG pic.twitter.com/7o9EJachKP

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 26, 2022

Last season the 49ers questioned the effort Aiyuk was putting into his blocking on the field. This lead to the proverbial “doghouse” claims, which followed him through six weeks of play. This also made Fantasy owners do the unthinkable…drop him. Aiyuk brokeout of the “doghouse” with a big performance in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears. This was the turning point for Aiyuks sophomore season, “Aiyuk had his best game as a blocker, runner, punt returner, and receiver” according to Kyle Shanahan.

This year Aiyuk is working hard with Trey Lance and Jauan Jennings in Southern California. Looking to build a repertoire with his future starting QB while also staying in shape. Aiyuk had one of his best games against Houton with Lance at the helm grabbing four catches for 94 yards. This gave us a look into what this offense could be with Lance-Aiyuk downfield combo.

Conclusion

Overall Aiyuk is a young talent that has proven more than most want to give him credit for, but this year he has the opportunity to breakout. Deebo possibly leaving via trade opens up the door for Aiyuk to have the third year breakout that Deebo had. Also with him attending offseason workouts with Trey lance, there seems to be something a brewing in San Francisco. If you want to succeed this year in Fantasy Football getting breakouts like Aiyuk are going to be essential.