Hard to believe, but it sounds a lot like the 49ers are going to trade Brandon Aiyuk. They're listening to trade offers. They've given Aiyuk permission to negotiate a contract with other teams. Nothing is official, but it seems like it's happening.
The oft-cited teams are the Browns, Patriots and (not as much recently) the Steelers. Last night's reports had the 49ers agreeing to the framework of a trade with the Browns and Patriots, it was just needed for Aiyuk to agree to go there and work out a contract. There are people saying, Why would he agree to leave the NFC Champs to go to a current AFC bottom feeder like the Patriots? Well, he would do it for $30 million a year, that's why. The Browns are legit playoff contenders in the AFC, and again, $30 million a year that San Francisco doesn't want to pay him.
The Cleveland pairing is a little hard to figure. The Browns just gave Amari Cooper a raise. They also traded draft picks for Jerry Jeudy not too long ago, and then gave him a ridiculous contract extension that suggests he's been a lot better than he's been so far. Now they're going to give up more picks and more money for Aiyuk? The argument points out that Cooper isn't signed beyond this season, which is true, and there's also people speculating that Cooper is headed to the Niners in the deal. Seems like a made-up idea by fans, but whatever.
Could Pittsburgh get in on this? Possible I guess. They have little proven behind George Pickens. But...they traded away Diontae Johnson rather than pay him. And if they pay Aiyuk, who immediately starts grousing about it? Pickens. And Pittsburgh trading away good picks for wide receivers, who they have had some success drafting, seems out of character.
In any case, we should have an answer on where Aiyuk is headed in the next few days (or hours). If you're drafting this week, move Deebo Samuel up; he's now the clear No. 1. I guess we need to drop Cooper some, since he will no longer be the clear No. 1 in Cleveland if Aiyuk goes there. Presumably none of us were drafting Jeudy anyway. Or any Patriots wide receivers. If Aiyuk goes there, he's the clear No. 1 for what looks like a pretty sorry passing offense, at least until Drake Maye is ready to be a star (if he ever is). Not a great move for Aiyuk's value.
In San Francisco, assuming there's not a wide receiver like Cooper coming back to them in the trade, the other starter will probably be Jauan Jennings. And maybe Ricky Pearsall, although the first-round pick has been missing some practice time. Both players become more interesting in drafts, but I don't think there's a clear guy to lock in.
One thing that is interesting is that in two of the more popular landing spots, Aiyuk would be joining one of the league's better wideouts from last season in terms of hitting on big plays. Aiyuk averaged nearly 18 yards per reception last year, 2nd among all wideouts with 60-plus receptions. No. 1 was George Pickens, and No. 3 was Amari Cooper.
| WIDE RECEIVER YARDS PER RECEPTION, 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
| George Pickens, Pitt. | 63 | 1140 | 18.1 | 5 |
| Brandon Aiyuk, S.F. | 75 | 1342 | 17.9 | 7 |
| Amari Cooper, Cle. | 72 | 1250 | 17.4 | 5 |
| DK Metcalf, Sea. | 66 | 1114 | 16.9 | 8 |
| Nico Collins, Hou. | 80 | 1297 | 16.2 | 8 |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 79 | 1255 | 15.9 | 13 |
| Justin Jefferson, Min. | 68 | 1074 | 15.8 | 5 |
| Tyreek Hill, Mia. | 119 | 1799 | 15.1 | 13 |
| Deebo Samuel, S.F. | 60 | 892 | 14.9 | 12 |
| DJ Moore, Chi. | 96 | 1364 | 14.2 | 9 |
| Puka Nacua, LAR | 105 | 1486 | 14.2 | 6 |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Ten. | 75 | 1057 | 14.1 | 7 |
| Jaylen Waddle, Mia. | 72 | 1014 | 14.1 | 4 |
| A.J. Brown, Phil. | 106 | 1456 | 13.7 | 7 |
| Calvin Ridley, Jac. | 76 | 1016 | 13.4 | 8 |
| DeVonta Smith, Phil. | 81 | 1066 | 13.2 | 7 |
| Drake London, Atl. | 69 | 905 | 13.1 | 2 |
| Jordan Addison, Min. | 70 | 911 | 13.0 | 10 |
| CeeDee Lamb, Dall. | 135 | 1749 | 13.0 | 14 |
| Chris Olave, N.O. | 87 | 1123 | 12.9 | 5 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det. | 119 | 1515 | 12.7 | 10 |
| Terry McLaurin, Was. | 79 | 1002 | 12.7 | 5 |
| Jayden Reed, G.B. | 64 | 793 | 12.4 | 10 |
| Chris Godwin, T.B. | 83 | 1024 | 12.3 | 3 |
| JaMarr Chase, Cin. | 100 | 1216 | 12.2 | 7 |
| Rashee Rice, K.C. | 79 | 938 | 11.9 | 7 |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 108 | 1243 | 11.5 | 7 |
| Jakobi Meyers, L.V. | 71 | 807 | 11.4 | 10 |
| Josh Downs, Ind. | 68 | 771 | 11.3 | 2 |
| Tyler Lockett, Sea. | 79 | 894 | 11.3 | 5 |
| Zay Flowers, Balt. | 77 | 858 | 11.1 | 6 |
| Davante Adams, L.V. | 103 | 1144 | 11.1 | 8 |
| Stefon Diggs, Buff. | 107 | 1183 | 11.1 | 8 |
| Garrett Wilson, NYJ | 95 | 1042 | 11.0 | 3 |
| Michael Pittman, Ind. | 109 | 1152 | 10.6 | 4 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sea. | 63 | 628 | 10.0 | 4 |
| Tyler Boyd, Cin. | 67 | 667 | 10.0 | 2 |
| Curtis Samuel, Was. | 62 | 613 | 9.9 | 5 |
| Adam Thielen, Car. | 103 | 1014 | 9.8 | 4 |
| Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG | 60 | 525 | 8.8 | 2 |
Maybe it happens today, and the drama ends. My general feeling is that while it will be good for Aiyuk financially, landing with any of the rumored teams probably won't be great for his fantasy value (or that of the teams he's joining). Big winner would seem to be Deebo Samuel and perhaps Jauan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall. Loser would be the current No. 1 or 2 on the team that bring Aiyuk in.
--Andy Richardson