Brandon Ayuck is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top wide receivers — and he hopes to be paid as one — but where does he rank in the eyes of league evaluators?
ESPN announced The league’s top receivers rank According to NFL executives, coaches and scouts for the 2024 season, Ayuck made the top 10.
10. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
High Level: 3 | Minimum level: Not rated.
Age: 26 | Last Year Rank: Not rated.
In his 1,342-yard season in 2023, Ayuk won a tie with Rams receiver Cooper Kupp, ESPN’s Jeremy Fuller wrote.
“Aiyuk has come a long way from starting his career in Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse as a rookie inconsistency. He’s worked his way up to the premiership.”
“More downfield production, big jump in yards per catch, quietly has almost 300. [career] said an NFL executive who selected Ayuk over three. “Excellent as a blocker. Low body skills as good as anyone.”
“Ayuk, who has 269 career catches in four seasons, went from 14.8 to 17.9 in 2023, trailing only George Pickens (18.1). More than 37 percent of his receptions went for 20-plus yards, tops in the NFL. (at least 100 targets),” Fowler said. He added.
“In the loaded 49ers offense, Ayuck has emerged as the top target with 218 targets, well ahead of Debo Samuels (181) and George Kittle (176),” Fowler added.
NFL Reviewer: “Major route runner with open field juice.”
Here are the nine wide receivers ahead of Ayuck.
1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
2. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
3. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
5. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
6. AJ Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
8. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans
Ayuk wasn’t the only 49ers wide receiver to earn recognition as one of the NFL’s top players at the position.
Honorable verses
Deebo Samuel Sr., San Francisco 49ers: “He’s still one of the best players in all of football and leads the field with an average of 8.8 yards per catch. “Strength was a bit of a concern, but he’s the ultimate weapon,” said the AFC exec.
With Samuels and Ayuck — along with rookie Ricky Pearsall and veteran Jawan Jennings — San Francisco should have one of the NFL’s best wide receiver classes in 2024, if the 49ers don’t move the 2023 second-team All-Pro after the star receiver. He reportedly requested a trade on Tuesday.
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