Road to WR1: Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk has been the talk of the 2024 offseason for mostly negative reasons but remains one of the best receivers in the NFL. Following a career year in 2023, Aiyuk has a chance to become the best receiver in fantasy football regardless of what his future holds.

Having statistically improved each year out, Aiyuk recorded a career-high 1,342 receiving yards in 2023 despite playing one less game than he did the year before. His total production was enough for a WR10 finish in standard leagues and a WR14 placing in half-PPR and full PPR leagues.

For the second consecutive season, Aiyuk finished first on San Francisco in receiving yards but behind teammate Deebo Samuel in fantasy. However, Aiyuk may not have to compete with Samuel or George Kittle for targets in 2024 after officially requesting a trade on July 16.

Even with the trade request, Aiyuk is not guaranteed to have his wish granted with one year left on his current contract.

How Brandon Aiyuk can become the fantasy WR1

No matter where he ends up by Week 1, Aiyuk will be expected to be a locked-in WR1 in fantasy. He has done nothing but improve each year in the league but could truly become one of the top targets in the NFL with another step up in his game.

Assuming Aiyuk stays with the 49ers — the move that appears likely despite his request — Aiyuk has seen his value skyrocket with Brock Purdy under center as opposed to Jimmy Garppolo. Though he was a respectable asset in his first two seasons, Aiyuk has posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since Purdy took over with a combined 15 touchdowns in his last two years.

While a natural progression is expected for both Aiyuk and Purdy, an additional workload could be on the horizon with teammates Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle potentially aging out of their respective primes. At 28 years old, Deebo Samuel is also past the midway point of his career.

Even without the expected decline of the team's other top weapons, Aiyuk began to separate himself as the clear-cut top receiver in San Francisco as 2023 wore on. His team-leading 105 targets during the regular season were a full 15 ahead of Kittle, who finished the year with 90 looks.

It is not bold to assume that Aiyuk will surpass Samuel in terms of fantasy production in 2024 if he stays put. Being the top receiver of a Kyle Shanahan-led offense has historically proven to be a fantasy goldmine but the biggest concern is his immediate future with the team.

While Aiyuk would be the No. 1 option on nearly any team that would trade for him, it would be difficult for him to land in a better situation fantasy-wise than the one he is already in. Even with his built-in chemistry with Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels, almost no offense runs as smoothly as San Francisco's.

The skill of Aiyuk is practically undeniable four years into his NFL career but his path to overall WR1 status is different than most given that his biggest obstacle at this point in his journey appears to be himself.