Brandon Aiyuk's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

With San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) set to miss a couple of weeks with a calf strain, Brandon Aiyuk is now set up to serve as the team's WR1 heading into a divisional matchup in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams. Aiyuk played only 60% of the offensive snaps in the Week 1 win over the New York Jets after a lengthy contract hold-in during training camp this summer. He played 87% of the snaps in the Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but through two games, Aiyuk has been a fantasy disappointment with six catches on 10 targets for 71 yards and no scores. Despite the poor start, fantasy managers need to keep the 26-year-old locked into starting lineups for Week 3 with Samuel sidelined. In addition to Aiyuk being more involved, receiver Jauan Jennings should operate as the WR2, while tight end George Kittle will also have a safer target floor for as long as Samuel is out.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk disappointed again in a 23-17 loss to the Vikings in Minneapolis on Sunday. He finished with four receptions for 43 yards on five targets and no touchdowns. Minted with a four-year $120 million extension recently, it appears that Aiyuk is still working his way back into football shape after skipping nearly all of the 49ers preseason games and team practices. On the bright side, today was an improvement from Week 1's two-catch, 28-yard performance. As Aiyuk continues to sharpen physically and regain his rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy, it's almost certain that he'll get back to 2023 form, but it could still take another week or two. In Week 3, Aiyuk and the 49ers will head south to play the Rams in Los Angeles.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will run up against the Vikings when the team visits Minnesota in Week 2. Last week, Aiyuk disappointed fantasy players, a victim of his own offseason "hold-in" rustiness and a negative game script. The 26-year-old with the new contract extension could only muster two catches for 28 yards and no touchdowns on five targets. This week, however, he'll have the benefit of another week of practice and not having to go against Sauce Gardner and a top-rated pass defense. The Vikings dominated Daniel Jones and the New York Giants wideouts last week, whose top receiving performance came from rookie Malik Nabers at 5 catches, 66 yards, and no touchdowns. However, the Giants' passing attack was not expected to be a challenge for anybody and Minnesota's defense allowed the sixth-most half-PPR points to wide receivers in 2023. Last year's Vikings defensive secondary remains largely unchanged. Aiyuk should be in line for more action in Week 2 after having his snaps managed in Week 1 and with a better matchup, he's a solid WR2.