Brandon Aiyuk on track to surpass Terrell Owens despite production dip
If not for injuries that somewhat curtailed a red-hot start to the season, San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk would be a lot higher than 14th on the list of receiving yards leaders. But even with the shoulder issue that restricted him in Week 2 and kept him out of Week 3 and despite failing to […]
If not for injuries that somewhat curtailed a red-hot start to the season, San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk would be a lot higher than 14th on the list of receiving yards leaders.
But even with the shoulder issue that restricted him in Week 2 and kept him out of Week 3 and despite failing to top 100 yards in either of his last two games, Aiyuk is on track for production not delivered by a 49ers pass catcher since the days of Terrell Owens.
Averaging 90.8 yards per game, Aiyuk is on pace for 1,452 receiving yards. Only two 49ers receivers, Owens and Jerry Rice, have surpassed the 1,400-yard mark in a season.
Owens was the last to do so, racking up 1,451 yards in 2000 and then 1,412 in 2001. Should Aiyuk maintain his current pace and surpass Owens' numbers from 2000, his would be the seventh-best 49ers receiving season in history. The only man above him would be Rice, who owns the best six campaigns by a San Francisco pass-catcher in terms of yardage and likely will for a long time.
Given the number of playmakers the 49ers have at their disposal, it may be difficult for Aiyuk to stay on his current pace.
Though Aiyuk was limited to four catches for 76 yards in the Week 6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, the tape from that gut-wrenching defeat illustrated why he has a chance to produce a truly remarkable season.
Aiyuk consistently defeated the man coverage the Browns regularly threw at the 49ers during an impressive defensive performance, but he was left frustrated as the disruption Cleveland was able to create up front often prevented Brock Purdy from getting the ball to him in those situations.
But Purdy is unlikely to be so uncomfortable every week and he has an impressive rapport with Aiyuk.
Continuing to produce at a level whereby he can surpass Owens may be difficult but, provided he stays healthy, Aiyuk should be able to deliver a season that is reflective of the special talent he is.
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