The San Francisco 49ers offense was projected to be among the most high-powered passing attacks in the league, but the impact fantasy football managers have seen from Brandon Aiyuk through the first six quarters of the 2024 NFL season feels a bit concerning.
How concerned should fantasy managers be about Aiyuk’s slow start?
Should Fantasy Managers Be Concerned About Brandon Aiyuk?
Aiyuk spent most of the 2024 offseason in a negotiating stalemate against San Francisco. The star WR was linked to the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns this offseason — only to sign a lucrative extension with the organization before Week 1.
Well, Aiyuk’s season-opening performance against the stingy New York Jets offense was disappointing to say the very least. His two receptions for 28 yards on five targets saw a WR69 fantasy finish in full-PPR formats — compounded by his dropped pass in the end zone in Week 1.
Unfortunately, Aiyuk’s first-half performance against the Minnesota Vikings can be a bit unsettling for fantasy managers who invested second- or third-round draft capital in the talented receiver. He has just one reception for two yards on two targets through the first 28 minutes of first-half action.
What is more concerning is that Jauan Jennings — who outproduced Aiyuk in the season opener with five receptions for 64 yards — has two receptions for 37 yards on four targets in the first half against the Vikings.
Of course, Deebo Samuel Sr. is always going to limit Aiyuk’s fantasy ceiling, but through the first six quarters of the year, Samuel has also been more involved in the offense with eight receptions for 102 receiving yards.
Lastly, George Kittle is in the conversation for the best tight end in the league and has caught the lone touchdown pass for the 49ers through the first six quarters of action.
Aiyuk is a vital part of this passing attack and opens up the entire offense with his great route running, YAC ability, and vertical speed — but it appears quarterback Brock Purdy is very willing to simply distribute the ball to the open receiver.
In a crowded receiver room, with an emerging third receiver option in Jennings starting to see his role in the passing game expand, fantasy managers are simply going to have to accept some bad performances occasionally.
Yet, I don’t see any reason to panic about Aiyuk’s slow start in this high-powered offense. He still has all the physical tools that have made him such a dynamic big-play threat over the last two seasons.
Aiyuk has finished the last two years as the WR14 and WR15 with consecutive seasons with 75+ receptions, 1,000+ yards, and 7+ TDs in this offense.
I am going to preach patience in this situation while Aiyuk works his way through some rough fantasy outings to start the 2024 NFL season.