Brandon Aiyuk DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Athletic's David Lombardi said on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that he doesn't "think it's likely that the San Francisco 49ers are gonna trade Brandon Aiyuk." However, he also said "it's something that they're not saying a firm no to, though." The new contract that Aiyuk signed before last season wouldn't necessarily be a deterrent to a trade as much as the fact that he tore his ACL and MCL last season. If a team wanted to trade for the 26-year-old former first-rounder, they'd be inheriting him at four years and $110 million. Aiyuk also has a $20 million guarantee that kicks in on April 1, so it gives San Fran a little extra time to try and find a trade partner, despite just recently dealing Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Commanders. Before Aiyuk's injury, he didn't look good with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. Depending on his recovery from his major knee injury, Aiyuk could be a rebound candidate in fantasy if he stays with the Niners now that Samuel is out of town.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that the San Francisco 49ers are open to trading both wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Deebo Samuel Sr. The 49ers already traded Samuel to the Washington Commanders on Saturday in exchange for a fifth-round pick, so it's unclear if San Fran is still open to dealing Aiyuk. The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL last October and reportedly turned down a trade to the Patriots last offseason due to their quarterback situation. It's uncertain if the Patriots would want Aiyuk now after his torn ACL, although Aiyuk could be more open to joining New England after QB Drake Maye's intriguing rookie season. Aiyuk could be ready for the start of the 2025 season, but it's not guaranteed, especially after he also suffered damage to his MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Chiefs. Aiyuk would certainly give Maye a bonafide No. 1 wideout in his second NFL season, though. Stay tuned.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) could be ready for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, though his status is uncertain for now. The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL in October of last season, so the recovery timeline makes it realistic for him to be ready for the start of the new campaign. Following a 1,400-yard receiving season in 2023, the 49ers signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract. Unfortunately, he could only produce 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games in 2024. That said, Aiyuk could be a value pick in fantasy football coming off the injury, especially since Deebo Samuel appears to finally be on the way out of San Francisco via trade at some point this offseason.