After losing in the NFC Championship Game the last two seasons, the San Francisco 49ers are hoping to finally win their sixth Super Bowl this coming season.
For them to do so, they will likely need wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to continue the ascent he has been on the last couple of years.
Many around the organization have high hopes for him, and in fact, defensive back Deommodore Lenoir said that Aiyuk will “be a top-5 receiver in the league this year.”
49ers insider David Lombardi shared this bold prediction on Twitter.
Deommodore Lenoir on Brandon Aiyuk: “He’s going to be a top-5 receiver in the league this year. He’s going to put everyone on notice.” #49ers
—David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) June 7, 2023
Aiyuk was taken by the 49ers with the No. 25 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft just weeks after they had blown a fourth-quarter lead and lost in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.
They needed a top-flight receiver, and he gradually showed the ability to be just that.
Aiyuk had 748 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games as a rookie, and he improved to 826 yards in 2021.
Last season, he got over the 1,000-yard mark for the first time while also scoring eight touchdowns.
With fellow wideout Deebo Samuel unable to build on a monster 2021 campaign in which he made both the Pro Bowl and All-Pro first-team, Aiyuk helped carry San Francisco’s offense and take them to a 13-4 record.
The team is stacked on offense with Aiyuk and Samuel at wideout, All-Pro second-team selection George Kittle at tight end, and star dual-threat running back Christian McCaffrey in the backfield.
Now, if only the Niners can figure out their quarterback conundrum, they could end up holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February 2024.
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