49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk predicted another leap for himself after posting his first 1,000-yard season in 2022. Every report from training camp indicated his arrow for 2023. Now through four games it’s clear that Aiyuk is prepared to meet even the loftiest expectations.
Aiyuk in the 49ers’ first four games is tied for the team lead with 17 receptions, and leading the club with 320 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He’s hit those marks despite missing the team’s Week 3 matchup against the Giants where quarterback Brock Purdy had one of the most prolific passing games of his career. For reference, Aiyuk last season through Week 4 had 14 catches for 179 yards and one touchdown.
His numbers this year have him on pace for 91 receptions, 1,707 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s also yet to record a drop.
Aiyuk ranks 12th in the league in yards despite missing a game. He’s fifth in yards per reception, second in yards per target, and all 17 of his catches have gone for either a first down or a touchdown. He’s the first player since Calvin Ridlely in 2020 to have all of his first 17 receptions either move the chains or score a touchdown.
On top of all that, the 49ers’ 2020 first-round pick is Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded offensive player through four weeks. He’s yet to drop a pass, and PFF has him graded 90 or above in all three areas of the field. He has three catches on four deep targets, 11 catches on 11 intermediate targets, and three catches on five short targets. The only incompletions on balls thrown at him came in Week 2 against the Rams when he suffered a shoulder injury on the 49ers’ first offensive series.
It’s hard to start much better than that. Aiyuk’s breakout campaign is on track and very much heading in the right direction.
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