The NFL on Wednesday extended its mandate for an all virtual offseason program to the end of May after originally setting the deadline for the middle of the month. The continued limitation of in-person workouts hasn’t stopped second-year wide receiver Deebo Samuel from trying to help out his new teammate, Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk, the No. 25 overall pick in this year’s draft, will play a significant role in how the 49ers’ passing attack adjusts to life after Emmanuel Sanders. The veteran signed with the Saints this offseason after spending the final 10 games in San Francisco last season. His exit opened a gaping hole at the top of the receiving corps that Aiyuk will presumably be tasked with filling after the 49ers traded up six spots to select him.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t have an easy offense to digest. 2018 second-round pick Dante Pettis needed more than half a season to get his legs as a rookie. Samuel, a 2019 second-round pick, had more success than Pettis early on, but took off in the back half of his first year. Now Samuel is trying to make the transition as easy as possible for Aiyuk in the nearly impossible circumstances COVID-19-related shutdowns have put the rookie.
Samuel on Wednesday told reporters in a video conference that he acquired Aiyuk’s number to offer his assistance as the rookie acclimates to this strange version of NFL life in perhaps the most unique offense in the league.
“I knew how hard it is to be as good as you want to be in this offense, without thinking,” Samuel said according to Matt Barrows of the Athletic. “So I gave him a call and was like, ‘Hey, man, I just want you to know, it’s going to take time.'”
Samuel through his first seven games last year had only 22 catches for 227 yards and one touchdown. In his last eight games his numbers ballooned to 35 receptions, 575 yards and two scores. He also became more involved as a runner.
He told reporters that Aiyuk will face an even steeper climb because he’s limited to virtual meetings rather than in-person instruction.
“I was around the coaches and able to use the coaches as much as possible,” Samuel said via Barrows. “With him, it’s just a Zoom call and it’s kind of hard to listen to a guy telling you what to do and not being able to go out on the field. So I was just like, ‘You just have to lock in, pay attention. I know it’s hard, but if you need anything, feel free to call me, (Kendrick Bourne) or even (assistant coach) Wes (Welker).’”
The leadership Samuel is showing in his second season is a positive sign for a 49ers’ receiving corps that is missing a veteran presence since Sanders left. Samuel said he’s aiming to fill that void.
“He brought the leader mentality, the vet mentality we needed in the room,” Samuel said according to Barrows. “Any time we needed advice or anything, he was always there.”
This off-field growth could signal that a big 2020 is in store for Samuel. He told reporters he’s working with fellow 49ers Trent Williams and Jerrick McKinnon, along with Washington running back Adrian Peterson. His goal is to get in better shape than he was in at the start of last season.
All signs point to Samuel picking up where he left off last year – an emerging No. 1 receiving threat. That wasn’t as big of a question mark though as the rest of the receiving corps. Aiyuk is going to be have a sizable role early in his career even if he faces steep obstacles in a difficult offense. Getting advice from someone who’s been through it should help, and Samuel’s continued growth both on and off the field could wind up being a huge factor in how well the 49ers’ receiving corps progresses heading into the 2020 season.
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