There’s no question that missing wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for most of the 2024 campaign contributed to the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive issues.
Aiyuk individually is an excellent player whose contributions when he’s at his best make him one of the 10 best receivers in the sport. It’s why he earned a Second-Team All-Pro nod for his breakout 2023 campaign.
His early-season struggles followed by his absence because of a knee injury he suffered in Week 7 were a significant blow to the 49ers’ passing game. His absence may have also been a factor in wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s struggles in the passing game last season.
Pro Football Network noted Samuel’s receiving production plummeted without Aiyuk on the field:
Deebo Samuel had 19 receptions on 30 targets for 310 yards across 231 snaps when playing alongside Brandon Aiyuk. Without Aiyuk, he recorded 32 receptions on 51 targets for 360 yards over 422 snaps.
Without Aiyuk the 49ers never had a receiving threat like him. Jauan Jennings put together an outstanding year in an expanded role, but he didn’t force teams to alter their coverages against him the way Aiyuk did.
That undoubtedly had an impact on Samuel whose skill set as a pure receiver has never been the special part of his game. Without a No. 1 across from him it makes sense if he struggled to get open and produce as a pass catcher.
On the other hand, there were some other clear issues for Samuel last season that went beyond Aiyuk’s absence. He had a difficult time breaking tackles and generating yards after the catch when he did snag a reception, and his production as a runner cratered.
Perhaps there were injury issues for Samuel that slowed him down some in 2024, but it’s clear he’ll benefit at least a little from Aiyuk’s eventual return in 2025.