ESPN’s Seth Walder looked at the best route for each of the 16 playoffs drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. Their best route was determined by “yards per distance traveled compared to other class receivers and other football receivers university”. For San Francisco 49ers first round coach Brandon Aiyuk, his best routes were perfectly aligned with what Kyle Shanahan wanted to do on offense:
Project / college: # 25 selected from Arizona State
Best route: Screen / Quick Routes
Last year, the 49ers posted an average rate of receiver screens, but overall, they operate on multiple screens, so it is fairly reasonable to assume that some of them will be diverted to Aiyuk in 2020. It imagine coach Kyle Shanahan will be trying to find ways to quickly get the ball from the rookie catcher to take advantage of his ability to run after the catch. Among qualified receivers, Aiyuk has ranked second in college football in yards after catching by reception in the past two seasons, behind only DeVonta Smith of Alabama.
By the way: Aiyuk led 17 positions with astronomical efficiency and actually led college football in yards per post-run if we’re willing to accept this small sample.
Let’s start at the bottom of the field. Much has been made of the 49ers’ lack of assists in 2019. San Francisco finished 31st with a downstream success rate last season. Having a real vertical threat could change that. Good news: Aiyuk is a downstream threat – legitimate for that. This is how Aiyuk will open up: He will sneak you with his initial glow out of the line of scrimmage, and before you know it, he has broken your pillow. From there it’s a run, and it usually doesn’t end well for the defenders. Aiyuk will have to improve his physique on the field, but coaching and experience will come into play. I could see the 49ers’ offensive hitting hard on a few play-action positions at Aiyuk next year.
The reason Aiyuk will be a vertical threat next year is that the cornerbacks won’t be able to play a loose blanket. San Francisco will have a lot of “free yards” if the defenses don’t play tight coverage. Occasionally Arizona State College would either launch a “now” screen, and Aiyuk 1 on 1 with space is bad news for the cornerbacks. Even when ASU sets up a screen, Aiyuk will find a way to break a tackle and, at worst, turn it into a positive offensive game.
I saw a lot of pushback to trade for Aiyuk, and much of it revolves around a fourth round pick. Aiyuk’s form doesn’t happen often. Again, for what Kyle wants to do on offense, there was no better widener available in the 1920s. Aiyuk would have been amazed during training in Nashville. I’m delighted to see him, and I hope Shanahan “throws him into the fire”, and we don’t have to wait until mid-season to see Aiyuk have many opportunities.
