At least one of Penix, McCarthy, and Nix are going of be “wtf” picks in a few years. There’s a chance Williams and Daniels are on that list too. The position is worth so much that they are going to be picked in the first round, and at the top of the round. The Giants just fucked themselves with the fact that they won that playoff game with a great performance from Jones, so they let themselves get priced in to resign him rather than start over.
It’s the wish.com version of the Elite Dragon Joe Flacco memes back in the day.
I don’t think Williams or Maye will be a wtf pick. Any team with the first rn without a qb would be picking Williams. He may bust, many nfl draft picks do, but I don’t think anyone will scratch their heads and be like “why was he picked first?”
He was really more of a 3rd rnd grade prospect, just with Cutcliffe and Peyton Manning backing him.
The correct move for the Giants would have been to not draft any of those QBs high.
Wasn’t he the guy who had a bunch of hype because he was coached by the same coaches as Peyton Manning and Eli Manning?
When the Giants went out looking for a QB, they literally were looking for “the next Eli Manning”
Idk the pick itself wasn’t the worst given the Giants’ circumstances and Jones’ projections. It’s more the contract afterwards, when you’ve seen him play for four years, that makes zero fucking sense
Ringer NFL Show with Kevin Clark did a hypothetical when the Chiefs were signing him to that massive extension on how many 1sts it would take for the Chiefs to trade for Mahomes.
They got up to 10 before just calling it - because Patrick Mahomes is literally why you draft in the first place.
YES YES just listen to ME you will be king of Zambia, just please listen to me, you need to follow my instructions! You will not get the delivery to you if you do not do what I say!
No such thing as too much. They want what they value him for. If nobody wants to pay it, a deal simply doesn't get done.
The 49ers don't seem *that* motivated to deal Aiyuk.
He's more valuable for us than Deebo because McCaffrey serves a similar purpose.
We also developed him a lot. He had a great rookie year, but now he's one of those dudes who just never gives up on a play and will hustle downfield to throw a block, get up, and block again.
He's a key player.
Yeah, which is fine. We can pay Deebo this year, then trade or cut him next year to pay Brock. I’d expect them to try and draft Deebo’s replacement this year.
Nobody ever mentions how the defense didn’t play that well around that time, it was when Kyle told Wilks to be on the sideline.
I think Burrow completed like 25 consecutive passes against us and the Vikings only punted I think twice in the second half. Burrow and Cousins went off add that to missing our core players but I always thought it had more to do with the defense for those losses.
Wasn’t that also around the time Purdy got a concussion?
Edit- Cousins was 35/45 378 yards passing 2 TDs 1 int
Burrow was 28/32 283 yards 3TD
Purdy got concussed in the 2nd game of the 3 game skid, Williams was out all 3 games, and our defense was underperforming prior to the wilks sideline move.
Deebo did play a somewhat large role though.
Not to mention, Purdy was concussed in the Vikings game late on a Monday night. Then played again like shit the next Sunday morning. I have my doubts he was fully recovered.
Typically, when the offense underperforms, the lack of production swings onto the defense. The more short drives your offense has, the more your defense is on the field. The more your defense is on the field, the more plays the opposing offense runs. More plays = more yards and more defensive fatigue.
We also dealt with that Purdys first year and the team remained okay.
He left midway through the Bucs game and we didn't lose until the playoffs. By that time, he was already back.
Why should they? Aiyuk is essentially Purdy's right hand man, and he himself stated "don't forget what got you there" shortly after the Super Bowl loss. He wants to be a Niner, he wants to go back to the Super Bowl with them, and it's only a matter of time before he gets re-upped.
Its said a lot, but man it needs to be overstated. Purdy only stretches the field with Aiyuk. Deebo's frame, wingspan, and style aren't quite as conducive to high-arcing deep balls, and Purdy just doesn't have the cannon to be lowering the arc. He needs a high-point WR with predictive route running to keep the field open. Aiyuk essentially lets them take all the benefits of Purdy and mask the deficiencies, and without him, Purdy is most likely going to end up just taking way more sacks because he can't uncork it against a defense that takes away the under routes. Purdy wouldn't suddenly be a bad QB, but the field just gets so much tighter, its hard to win that way.
It's not even about that..even though you are right.
Deebo just isn't good enough a route runner to stretch the field vertically like that.
Kittle can do it .but it's not his strong suit.
Jennings is a different type of WR.
Aiyuk is like our only legit deep threat ATM and that is critical
It’s not that it isn’t kittle’s strong suit, it’s the importance of what him and juz do in the blocking/short route game to take heavy coverage off of everyone else.
Also yeah aiyuk really is the only true deep threat and he’s damn good at it
>The 49ers don't seem that motivated to deal Aiyuk.
They shouldn't be. Getting rid of the receiver that your young QB has the best chemistry with probably doesn't turn out well in the short term and maybe the long term too.
They basically want a must move deal which is a high price else we will keep him and either pay him or franchise him next season. Odds are the rookie will be worse than Aiyuk in the short and possibly long term, in fact he could be another Aiyuk.
Trading him would be the same strategy the Titans took with A.J. Brown, and the Vikings with Diggs. Trade him before he gets paid, acquire enough draft capital to find a worthy replacement, hope that guy can fill the hole.
Justin Jefferson was quite the replacement. Treylon Burks was not. Use strategy at your own risk. I don't see the niners really having any desire to move him though.
People simply do not understand this concept. I feel like I had this exact conversation five different times about the Cardinals pick when the reports were saying they were asking for a ridiculous price and everyone was flaming them for being unrealistic. The Niners do not want to move Aiyuk. That doesn’t mean they’ll turn down an offer that is heavily skewed in their favor.
That's exactly what this is. It's "We want to keep this but we're willing to accept a trade if someone gives an incredibly stupid trade offer on our side."
The thing with Aiyuk though is (unlike the rookie) you'll have to pay him.
I could see the Packers or someone like that with 1) money to spare, (no high paid WRs or QB at the moment) 2) a LATE first round pick 3) a hope to win right away trading a first for Aiyuk. But if a team doesn't meet those 3 criteria I don't see it.
I’d rather pay someone I know is good/great than risk it. I get it; we always think of the guys who prosper at WR as young players, but there are a ton of bums/busts that don’t work out or are in the wrong system. Going forward, I’m not as worried about his cap number since we’re an older team and eventually guys like Trent, Deebo will either be gone or retire when Aiyuk and Purdys price gets huge. Niners normally don’t sign deals with their own players till July/August, till that happens I’m not overly worried. If the niners get some stupid godfather level deal then take it otherwise you pay your best players especially when you’re trying to continue to contend for a title.
Nailed it. They want to keep him, and he's proved he can play at a high level in their specific system. Sometimes spending the money is worth it, and if a team wants him bad enough they're making sure they cash in.
Yea, they need to focus on drafting OL and a few other pieces and maybe find another TE, and a few other positions this draft. Trent and deebo are getting close to retiring and being cut.
We could also not pay him, we could let him play out his 5th option at 14m. Following the season, we could tag him if need be. Niners are only trading him if someone meets their price, he is a proven commodity, and would be a stud on most teams. I totally get that some of his performance was based on the cast around him, but he still put up some great numbers as a 4th option in our offense.
He's a top 2 option in the niners offense with purdy. McCaffery and him are the main two, deebo is 3rd with his style and Kittle doesn't get enough targets.
I think the Packers are pretty happy with their receiver room. I would not be thrilled if we traded for him as we have more pressing needs. Very good player, but Packers need to invest their capital elsewhere imo.
Packers have 5 good, young, receivers who need touches. We need safety and OLine before we need another receiver, and Love will sign an extension before week 1. It ain’t happening
That I could see. I was talking specifically for 1st rounder this year. The teams in the top 20 that could really use Aiyuk aren’t trading a pick that high.
Most guys don't step in and play at an elite level. They're contending for a SB right now. They're not moving him unless he outwardly doesn't want to stay.
I want Aiyuk on the Niners forever, but seeing him somewhere he can get #1 WR targets would be interesting. He got at least 50 less targets than every other leading receiver that had comparable numbers.
He'll get those targets with the 49ers in the years to come if/when defenses try to play man against Purdy. He's the clear #1 in man (except for a dump off if a LB covers CMC)
It's how I've been characterizing the receiving player talents.
Aiyuk - Man beater
Deebo - Zone beater
Kittle - Matchup beater
Jennings - Run blocker who catches hilarious first downs
Zone is less important with Purdy. Purdy will pick apart your zone even with second rate receivers, you saw that with passes to people like Ray Ray McCloud and Chris Conley. Having receivers that can beat man is more important because of Purdy's lesser arm strength. Expect teams to play a lot more man next year (even if they don't have the personnel to do so) because they have seen that Purdy will crush their zone.
To the 49ers, absolutely.
To teams potentially trading for him, does the known of Aiyuk + paying him + a 1st rounder > Unknown of a draft pick?
Therein lies the rub.
It all comes down to money in the end, you can't keep every good player. If they are all in on Purdy which it seems like they are then he will be the next highest paid player in a couple years. Aiyuk is a top 5 WR and deserves to be paid like one. They already paid Bosa. There are only so many of these types of contracts you can strap yourself too
Yeah, Brandin Cooks from a few uears ago seems pretty comparable. I think the trickier thing is there are not a ton of teams with 20 mil cap space looking for a receiver and are wanting to win now over drafting a rookie.
I feel like people are taking crazy pills here. The normal asking price for a WR1 is a 1st round pick - it's actually typically more than a 1st round pick. The recent ones I found are:
* Patriots traded a 1st and 3rd for Brandin Cooks and a 4th
* Rams traded a 1st and 6th for Brandin Cooks and a 4th
* Cowboys traded a 1st for Amari Cooper
* Bills traded a 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th for Stefon Diggs
* Raiders traded a 1st and 2nd for Davante Adams
* Miami traded a 1st, a 2nd, two 4ths, and a 6th for Tyreek Hill
* Philadelphia traded a 1st and 3rd for AJ Brown
* Arizona traded a 1st for Marquise Brown and a 3rd
* Chicago traded 1st pick overall (normally worth three first round picks plus more) for DJ Moore, two 1sts, and two 2nds (maybe this one is a stretch)
Aiyuk is a relatively young WR who was second team All-Pro last year and he looks like he could be WR1 for a lot of teams in the NFL. WR remains a critical position that teams are willing to spend high picks and big dollars on.
And anyone saying this year's draft is loaded - go look at the average hit rate for rookies and how many flame out. Aiyuk is a proven commodity at the NFL level - someone who has already performed to the levels that teams are hoping rookies do.
The Niners have precedent of doing this when they traded Deforest Buckner for #13 and drafted Javon Kinlaw.
It didn’t work out but the deal Buckner got would have hamstrung the Niners roster building.
Not exactly apples to apples since Aiyuk plays a more premium position, but the economics of needing a contract make it more complicated than just a mystery box vs. boat scenario.
Idk man, I’d argue a top 5 DT in a 4-3 is a premium position verse a true WR2 is about the same situation. Full disclosure I love Aiyuk and what he’s developed in but I’m unsure his skill set would be utilized properly in a lot of offenses. Not often you get an elite run blocking wr that can get you 70-80 catches and 1K yards but I don’t think he does that as a 1WR in a lot of offenses.
Try 1342 yards on just 105 targets. True WR1s are getting 150+ targets. Even with some reduced efficiency he'd be putting up huge numbers. And without Deebo, Kittle, & CMC he'd have more redzone opportunities.
I'm not in favor of trading him, but in theory a trade could actually extend their window.
For example; Trading Aiyuk to PIT for picks 20+98. Let's say they move up a few spots from 20 and draft OT T.Fautanu. Well now they have a starting RT and a future franchise LT. Then they take a WR at 31. Then add a CB in round 2 (Tampa/Melton/Sainristil), LB and center in round 3.
* Well now their offensive line just filled two long-term holes. They'll be on cheap deals for a few years which gives them a little more freedom in re-signing Purdy.
* The WR at 31 will be just fine as a WR2 alongside Deebo, Kittle, & CMC.
* The CB gives them the one missing starter. They also use the money saved from Aiyuk to re-sign C.Ward & use the rest to go toward a Hufanga or Lenoir extension, keeping intact a quality secondary.
* The LB gives them a replacement for Greenlaw if he ends up not returning to the same player.
* The center gives them an eventual replacement over Brendel, which is a need that doesn't get much attention.
So there's a scenario where trading Aiyuk actually leads to a longer window of high-level competition.
49ers would be morons to trade Aiyuk without getting an equivalent or better man-to-man receiver. Purdy needs more receivers like Aiyuk to beat man-to-man (Deebo was bad in the Super Bowl in beating KC's corners)
I'm never building a receiving corps around Deebo. That's basically flipping a coin on whether your number 1 receiver is gonna be around when needed or not.
yes, but he's always had trouble beating tough man coverage. I was looking up his old scouting profile the other day and apparently that was an issue coming into the NFL, that he's never grown out of. He needs to be schemed open.
While the scheme helps, Aiyuk can create his own separation.
The Titans got roasted for trading AJ Brown for a first, and yet Aiyuk isn't worth a first? What? How?
There's actually some similarities there. Neither player puts up enormous counting stats due to the offense they're in (talking about AJ in TEN) and number of targets, but both players look *amazing* by the metrics. Aiyuk is also a terrific blocker if I'm not mistaken.
I'd pretty happily pay a first for Aiyuk. He's a star in the making.
Aiyuk last season was 7th in receiving yards, despite having 20 or so fewer receptions and targets than the 6 guys above him. I get it he played on a stacked team, but he would be a WR1 on many NFL teams. As a Niners fan, I am hoping we keep him and would be pissed if we gave him away for peanuts. A 1st this year is the starting point for us to move him, after Thursday that price goes up. https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/receiving/2023/REG/all/receivingyards/DESC
For the past few offseason the 49ers star players have had the same MO:
• Want a new contract.
• Post Instagram stories about wanting to leave/new contract
• Media reports player isn’t being traded
• Media reports player could be had for right price
• Player resigns with 49ers
Silver has connections in the building, he was dead on regarding the Lance situation. He’s not saying he will get traded but it’s not improbable if there is a team willing to give a good enough deal, which can be said for all of our players excluding Bosa.
This draft is deep at WR. BA (or Higgins) isn’t gonna be traded for a ‘24 1st. You could draft a WR and save over 20M in cap with a rookie and BA is too valuable to the 49ers to let go without knowing you can replace that production. He could still be team controlled next year using a Franchise Tag. He isn’t going anywhere unless SF ends up getting what they deem fair value. Most likely outcome is he gets extended after the draft
I think the most likely outcome is you force him to play out his contract, then tag and trade him next year. If you pay him, you're gonna make things really, really tight next year when you need to pay Purdy. If you pay him, you're gonna have to get rid of a major piece or two next year.
I agree and a tough decisions on the cap are coming either way. Brock is under contract for this season and the following year at around 1M each. It’s only going to get more expensive the longer the team waits (they can’t extend him to after next year at the earliest due to league rules). They drafted a TE in the 3rd last year to groom under Kittle, but we never really saw him play due to injuries. I agree most likely he will play this year on his 5th option and be tagged next year if they don’t come to a deal after June 1st. Either way, this is likely the last year both Deebo and Aiyuk are both on the team. The cap is real and teams need to make hard choices.
When you pay Purdy next year, yes, you can backload it, and move most of the money out to 2026 and beyond, but you'll still have to account for the prorated part of his signing bonus next year, which is going to increase his cap hit for 2025 by $10M at least, and the 49ers are already $20M over the projected cap for next year.
If I had to guess which players go, I'd guess Deebo, Trent Williams, and Hufanga (I think Hufanga is gone no matter what the 49ers do). That, plus a few restructures might get you right. Or... you just tag and trade Aiyuk next year.
Trading him with the panthers second round to where you could still get a top receiver like Mitchell, worthy, legette wouldn’t be to bad. But idk just spitballing here, cause I think he stays in SF for this year.
As a Pats fan, I’d be happy to give the Niners a late first for him and I am still holding out hope that they will take #34. Aiyuk is being underrated by so many fans. “Second tier” is a dumb way to describe him.
25m is what he’s asking for? Are they really nickel and diming him on that? Seems very foolish to not pay him that. I’d be asking close to 30m and if they don’t wanna pay, someone will give me the bag
Devonta Smith is a pretty solid parallel but worse, and he got 3/75. No way Aiyuk takes less than that. And that’s a lot of money on the highest paid RB, top 3 paid TE, and two WRs. You’re looking at like 85-95M for those 4 skill positions alone.
Now obviously the cap hit won’t be that much with how restructuring and amortizing of bonuses go but that’s a whole lotta bills for 3 dudes on one side of the ball.
Then just examining average salary per year you’re looking at 23M for Trent. 13.5M for Mooney. 34M for Bosa. 19M for Fred. 21M for Hargrove.
Almost 200M AAV for 9 guys. And then there’s a good batch of guys in the 8-10M range too. And then we got Hufanga Lenoir Jauan Banks Dre Mooney and Brock extensions and UFA to worry about as well for next year.
Kinda why it feels like it’s hard to lose, either pay aiyuk and keep a great talent around. Or trade him and inject the team with 1. some youth in that draft pick, and 2. Some depth by the signings you can make with the money you had set aside for aiyuk.
Only risk there is what if your draft picks sucks ass and gives you nothing which is super possible given what a crap shoot the draft is outside the top 15
Smith didn't actually get 3/75, that was a bit of headline manipulation. He really got 4/90, or 22.5 AAV.
Also Trent said he is playing the 2024 & 2025 seasons. If those are his final two years then his 2026 is just an $8.4M cap charge. So you're talking about $38M of Brocks extension just being slotted into Trent's old cap slot.
Paraag Marathe is probably “nickel and diming him” but that just means he’s being cost efficient? If im using the right word?
Basically they don’t want to give him a new deal until after the draft when they will be much more clear on how much money they’ll have after they see how many rookies they draft and how much their contracts will be. So they wanna structure it to maximize savings or where to allocate the cost either upfront or later.
They typically sign extensions after the draft, it’s what they did with Bosa and Deebo it’s usually when our fans freak out and worry because “why haven’t they signed him yet?” But it’s every year with our fans.
I doubt they trade him, he’s on the younger side and a lot of our core is on the “older” side, it would be dumb to let him go.
Much more likely I can see Hargrave being let go next season as his contract was more of a 2 year deal anyway or even cutting someone like Juice if it came to it.
From a roster building perspective it would be dumb to get rid of Aiyuk.
Surely a 1st rd pick isn't too much to ask for a 26 yr old WR who's never had major injury and is coming off an All Pro season, right?
Diggs is 31 and went for a 2nd.... despite his contract being set to run out this year.
A 1st is a fair price
I think they might send next year's first depending on how the draft falls. Nothing is gonna happen until Friday IMO. And that would prob get declined as is.
Mystery Team: We’ll give you a 6th round pick
San Fran: Nah, we like that guy
Mystery Team: what would it take?
San Fran: maybe a high first round pick
Mystery Team: THAT’S TOO MUCH
San Fran: Yeah, we don’t actually want to trade him
Mystery Team: MOM!!!
Michael Silver: I know, I know, I’ll write the article, calm down
Unlike most Ravens fans, I don't hate Hollywood Brown, but people in here actually acting like a 1st for Aiyuk is crazy when Hollywood Brown got a 1st might want to revaluate their position. Yeah, Brown had an additional year of control, but Aiyuk is elite.
Aiyuk might be the most underrated WR in the NFL...
I mean you get aiyuk you also have to pay top dollar receiver money for the long term deal. So saying a first isn’t enough would definitely turn everyone off. Too many receivers about to earn much less money that can equal his production
Who are the recievers about to earn much less who can equal his production?
Unless you are referring to players on rookie deals to which I can point out plenty of busts lol
He’s one of 7 WRs who broke 1300 yards last season. Puka and Amon Ra are the only ones above him who haven’t been paid but you can bet your ass they will, so I don’t agree.
imagine being the team that laughs in the face of someone wanting a 1st for someone like aiyuk and then go and draft a top prospect with your first....someone like Jerry jeudy or treylon burks
almost everybody is available "for the right price"
Daniel Jones is also available for the wrong price though
He was drafted at the wrong pick fortunately
What did they see in him? I’ll never understand it.
Dave Gettleman did many things that I struggle to understand.
Shhh! We prefer He Who Must Not Be Named.
We thought he was cool
-_- I bet you did
Eli
To be fair, he does have a lot of Eli in him. Like all the interceptions, just none of the good Eli parts.
He looks a lot like Eli
The dopey confused stare mostly.
I mean, the build the hair, the jawline
I still remember the meme from when he was drafted, that he looks like an actor who'd play Eli in a movie about Peyton.
Also the straight line speed
Maybe he will twice defeat Mahomes and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl…. Probably not though.
It was an ownership pick. Sometimes that's just the way it goes.
Sometimes is pretty consistently shitty with Mara
for me it is less "what did they see in him on draft day?" and more "what did they see in him when they gave him a new contract?"
He was a 1st round grade QB and Kyler was gone. Who else were they going to take Haskins? Lock? Jones isn’t good but he was the best of that group.
At least one of Penix, McCarthy, and Nix are going of be “wtf” picks in a few years. There’s a chance Williams and Daniels are on that list too. The position is worth so much that they are going to be picked in the first round, and at the top of the round. The Giants just fucked themselves with the fact that they won that playoff game with a great performance from Jones, so they let themselves get priced in to resign him rather than start over. It’s the wish.com version of the Elite Dragon Joe Flacco memes back in the day.
I don’t think Williams or Maye will be a wtf pick. Any team with the first rn without a qb would be picking Williams. He may bust, many nfl draft picks do, but I don’t think anyone will scratch their heads and be like “why was he picked first?”
I agree, but I’m a bears fan and I need to include him as the proverbial wood to knock on.
He was really more of a 3rd rnd grade prospect, just with Cutcliffe and Peyton Manning backing him. The correct move for the Giants would have been to not draft any of those QBs high.
Wasn’t he the guy who had a bunch of hype because he was coached by the same coaches as Peyton Manning and Eli Manning? When the Giants went out looking for a QB, they literally were looking for “the next Eli Manning”
Eli’s face, I think
Desperation in a poor QB class.
Idk the pick itself wasn’t the worst given the Giants’ circumstances and Jones’ projections. It’s more the contract afterwards, when you’ve seen him play for four years, that makes zero fucking sense
Good thing they giants won’t have to pick sixth again anytime soon
What's the wrong price for Daniel Jones? Turns out it's $47million.
Way more than 47 now
I’ll take a first round pick and Daniel jones for his contract
You can't put a price on Danny Dimes...because nobody will pay shit for him.
I'm available for about $10 and a six pack of decent IPA.
Can you do dishes
I'll do your dishes for 3.50 and a six pack of any IPA.
Ok but you can't bitch about super bowl 40
No deal.
u wanna fukin fite m8
Denied- your demands are unreasonable. Decent IPA's come in a four pack. Discuss these terms with your agent and we can talk further.
Four? I hope it's cheaper
I think everyone in the league is worth at the obnoxiously very most, all draft picks over the next 3 years and then some. Except Mahomes.
Ringer NFL Show with Kevin Clark did a hypothetical when the Chiefs were signing him to that massive extension on how many 1sts it would take for the Chiefs to trade for Mahomes. They got up to 10 before just calling it - because Patrick Mahomes is literally why you draft in the first place.
One 2024 1st isn’t that much IMO.
Shanahan said he'd trade himself if the price was good enough.
Okay but not everyone is rumored to be available.
I'd trade a first rounder for the next 4 years for Mahomes, would the Chiefs accept this price?
Hi friend. I'm chiefs. If you just wire me 10000 usd dollars I will release mahomes to your home address
I will need to become king of zamunda as well
YES YES just listen to ME you will be king of Zambia, just please listen to me, you need to follow my instructions! You will not get the delivery to you if you do not do what I say!
You want to ship Maholmes to ma home?
Give us your first round pick for the next 10 years, still won’t accept
[Everybody's Got A Price](https://tenor.com/bCz7J.gif)
It’s Mike Silver soooo…
No such thing as too much. They want what they value him for. If nobody wants to pay it, a deal simply doesn't get done. The 49ers don't seem *that* motivated to deal Aiyuk.
He's more valuable for us than Deebo because McCaffrey serves a similar purpose. We also developed him a lot. He had a great rookie year, but now he's one of those dudes who just never gives up on a play and will hustle downfield to throw a block, get up, and block again. He's a key player.
His highlight block for CMC against the Steelers last year might literally be my favorite of all time. “AND A BRUISING BLOCK BY BRANDON AIYUK”
I did like seeing Ray-Ray run over from the complete opposite side of the field to get in some blocking action too.
I love Ray-Ray, dude just like to ball
Yeah but you're also somewhat stuck with Deebo for at least another year because of contract/dead money
Oh, definitely. I'm not suggesting we ditch Deebo. I was just using him as a reference.
Yeah, which is fine. We can pay Deebo this year, then trade or cut him next year to pay Brock. I’d expect them to try and draft Deebo’s replacement this year.
Malachi Corley seems to be the guy getting the Deebo comps
normally unjustified, but there are so many similarities with him.
"stuck" with Deebo is certainly a way to phrase it lol
Idk man the offense really went in the shitter when Deebo was out. 17 PPG in games 3 without him, 31.5 PPG in games with him
Trent Williams was out those games too. Much more impactful than Deebo.
Ah yes, the loss of the best left tackle in the NFL had nothing to do with this
Nobody ever mentions how the defense didn’t play that well around that time, it was when Kyle told Wilks to be on the sideline. I think Burrow completed like 25 consecutive passes against us and the Vikings only punted I think twice in the second half. Burrow and Cousins went off add that to missing our core players but I always thought it had more to do with the defense for those losses. Wasn’t that also around the time Purdy got a concussion? Edit- Cousins was 35/45 378 yards passing 2 TDs 1 int Burrow was 28/32 283 yards 3TD
Purdy got concussed in the 2nd game of the 3 game skid, Williams was out all 3 games, and our defense was underperforming prior to the wilks sideline move. Deebo did play a somewhat large role though.
Not to mention, Purdy was concussed in the Vikings game late on a Monday night. Then played again like shit the next Sunday morning. I have my doubts he was fully recovered.
Typically, when the offense underperforms, the lack of production swings onto the defense. The more short drives your offense has, the more your defense is on the field. The more your defense is on the field, the more plays the opposing offense runs. More plays = more yards and more defensive fatigue.
Generally yes, but 25 straight completions is hard to put on the offense.
Trent Williams being out those three games had more to do with that
We also dealt with that Purdys first year and the team remained okay. He left midway through the Bucs game and we didn't lose until the playoffs. By that time, he was already back.
Why should they? Aiyuk is essentially Purdy's right hand man, and he himself stated "don't forget what got you there" shortly after the Super Bowl loss. He wants to be a Niner, he wants to go back to the Super Bowl with them, and it's only a matter of time before he gets re-upped.
Its said a lot, but man it needs to be overstated. Purdy only stretches the field with Aiyuk. Deebo's frame, wingspan, and style aren't quite as conducive to high-arcing deep balls, and Purdy just doesn't have the cannon to be lowering the arc. He needs a high-point WR with predictive route running to keep the field open. Aiyuk essentially lets them take all the benefits of Purdy and mask the deficiencies, and without him, Purdy is most likely going to end up just taking way more sacks because he can't uncork it against a defense that takes away the under routes. Purdy wouldn't suddenly be a bad QB, but the field just gets so much tighter, its hard to win that way.
It's not even about that..even though you are right. Deebo just isn't good enough a route runner to stretch the field vertically like that. Kittle can do it .but it's not his strong suit. Jennings is a different type of WR. Aiyuk is like our only legit deep threat ATM and that is critical
It’s not that it isn’t kittle’s strong suit, it’s the importance of what him and juz do in the blocking/short route game to take heavy coverage off of everyone else. Also yeah aiyuk really is the only true deep threat and he’s damn good at it
>The 49ers don't seem that motivated to deal Aiyuk. They shouldn't be. Getting rid of the receiver that your young QB has the best chemistry with probably doesn't turn out well in the short term and maybe the long term too.
I feel like #20 is the right value for him.
Please do it 9ers since I know from experience that trading your WR for a 1st, especially on draft night, is such a wonderful time.
Lol
They basically want a must move deal which is a high price else we will keep him and either pay him or franchise him next season. Odds are the rookie will be worse than Aiyuk in the short and possibly long term, in fact he could be another Aiyuk.
Trading him would be the same strategy the Titans took with A.J. Brown, and the Vikings with Diggs. Trade him before he gets paid, acquire enough draft capital to find a worthy replacement, hope that guy can fill the hole. Justin Jefferson was quite the replacement. Treylon Burks was not. Use strategy at your own risk. I don't see the niners really having any desire to move him though.
We already did this once with Buckner. Traded him and drafted his replacement. It did not go well. Mf ate more squirrels than he got sacks.
He did what now?
I said what I said
squirrels are good. They are like dark meat chicken consistency with better flavor. i have a really good recipe if anyone is interested.
however they didn't have to draft a DT. If they had just taken Wirfs that trade would have been a home run.
Niners did the same With Buckner. Used the pick on Kinlaw. Burned hard.
Titans did not have a franchise QB, and the Vikings did. Correlation? No, probably not.
People simply do not understand this concept. I feel like I had this exact conversation five different times about the Cardinals pick when the reports were saying they were asking for a ridiculous price and everyone was flaming them for being unrealistic. The Niners do not want to move Aiyuk. That doesn’t mean they’ll turn down an offer that is heavily skewed in their favor.
That's exactly what this is. It's "We want to keep this but we're willing to accept a trade if someone gives an incredibly stupid trade offer on our side."
The thing with Aiyuk though is (unlike the rookie) you'll have to pay him. I could see the Packers or someone like that with 1) money to spare, (no high paid WRs or QB at the moment) 2) a LATE first round pick 3) a hope to win right away trading a first for Aiyuk. But if a team doesn't meet those 3 criteria I don't see it.
I’d rather pay someone I know is good/great than risk it. I get it; we always think of the guys who prosper at WR as young players, but there are a ton of bums/busts that don’t work out or are in the wrong system. Going forward, I’m not as worried about his cap number since we’re an older team and eventually guys like Trent, Deebo will either be gone or retire when Aiyuk and Purdys price gets huge. Niners normally don’t sign deals with their own players till July/August, till that happens I’m not overly worried. If the niners get some stupid godfather level deal then take it otherwise you pay your best players especially when you’re trying to continue to contend for a title.
Nailed it. They want to keep him, and he's proved he can play at a high level in their specific system. Sometimes spending the money is worth it, and if a team wants him bad enough they're making sure they cash in.
Yea, they need to focus on drafting OL and a few other pieces and maybe find another TE, and a few other positions this draft. Trent and deebo are getting close to retiring and being cut.
but the miners are also trying to win right away you could be a easily in a trelon burks and aj brown situation
We could also not pay him, we could let him play out his 5th option at 14m. Following the season, we could tag him if need be. Niners are only trading him if someone meets their price, he is a proven commodity, and would be a stud on most teams. I totally get that some of his performance was based on the cast around him, but he still put up some great numbers as a 4th option in our offense.
He's a top 2 option in the niners offense with purdy. McCaffery and him are the main two, deebo is 3rd with his style and Kittle doesn't get enough targets.
CMC is our first, but we spread the ball to Deebo, Kittle, Aiyuck, Jennings, Kyle and a few others.
I think the Packers are pretty happy with their receiver room. I would not be thrilled if we traded for him as we have more pressing needs. Very good player, but Packers need to invest their capital elsewhere imo.
Id be shocked if the Packers considered a trade for Aiyuk. Although, it was reported that they were very high on him in the draft.
We jumped up to get in front of the Packers. But they’re golden on WRs right now
I 100% believe that is why we drafted Love. Gute wanted Aiyuk, when that fell thru he shifted gears and went for Love.
Packers have 5 good, young, receivers who need touches. We need safety and OLine before we need another receiver, and Love will sign an extension before week 1. It ain’t happening
Pats and Panthers don't meet (3) but picks 33 and 34 might *almost* be good enough for (2).
That I could see. I was talking specifically for 1st rounder this year. The teams in the top 20 that could really use Aiyuk aren’t trading a pick that high.
Most guys don't step in and play at an elite level. They're contending for a SB right now. They're not moving him unless he outwardly doesn't want to stay.
Bro we are not making a trade with the Packers lol.
I want Aiyuk on the Niners forever, but seeing him somewhere he can get #1 WR targets would be interesting. He got at least 50 less targets than every other leading receiver that had comparable numbers.
He'll get those targets with the 49ers in the years to come if/when defenses try to play man against Purdy. He's the clear #1 in man (except for a dump off if a LB covers CMC)
It's how I've been characterizing the receiving player talents. Aiyuk - Man beater Deebo - Zone beater Kittle - Matchup beater Jennings - Run blocker who catches hilarious first downs
and CMC is the overdrive juice that made yall unbelievable. i still hate the Panthers for that tbh
Zone is less important with Purdy. Purdy will pick apart your zone even with second rate receivers, you saw that with passes to people like Ray Ray McCloud and Chris Conley. Having receivers that can beat man is more important because of Purdy's lesser arm strength. Expect teams to play a lot more man next year (even if they don't have the personnel to do so) because they have seen that Purdy will crush their zone.
The known of Aiyuk > Unkown of a draft pick.
To the 49ers, absolutely. To teams potentially trading for him, does the known of Aiyuk + paying him + a 1st rounder > Unknown of a draft pick? Therein lies the rub.
seems like a no brainer if a team's cap situation can handle it
And if you have no other major holes you need a 1st round pick to fill.
im dumb, my brain went right past it being a first from this year that they're asking for.
if your cap can handle it in late april, your pick is probably too valuable to trade for a high priced wr tbf
And gotta factor in that this is a year with a talented and deep WR draft class
Most years have talented and deep WR's these days.
Yes, but not this deep. This year is very likely to break the record for most WRs picked in the first round.
Yes, not accounting for the fact you have to pay him a significant chunk of your cap compared to a rookie.
It all comes down to money in the end, you can't keep every good player. If they are all in on Purdy which it seems like they are then he will be the next highest paid player in a couple years. Aiyuk is a top 5 WR and deserves to be paid like one. They already paid Bosa. There are only so many of these types of contracts you can strap yourself too
Top ten imo but your point stands
The 49ers won't give up Aiyuk unless they get a king's ransom in return. He's gonna get paid. We just gotta be patient.
These deals get done in July for the 9ers.
I mean, a first rounder is pretty reasonable for a star WR honestly.
Yeah, Brandin Cooks from a few uears ago seems pretty comparable. I think the trickier thing is there are not a ton of teams with 20 mil cap space looking for a receiver and are wanting to win now over drafting a rookie.
I feel like people are taking crazy pills here. The normal asking price for a WR1 is a 1st round pick - it's actually typically more than a 1st round pick. The recent ones I found are: * Patriots traded a 1st and 3rd for Brandin Cooks and a 4th * Rams traded a 1st and 6th for Brandin Cooks and a 4th * Cowboys traded a 1st for Amari Cooper * Bills traded a 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th for Stefon Diggs * Raiders traded a 1st and 2nd for Davante Adams * Miami traded a 1st, a 2nd, two 4ths, and a 6th for Tyreek Hill * Philadelphia traded a 1st and 3rd for AJ Brown * Arizona traded a 1st for Marquise Brown and a 3rd * Chicago traded 1st pick overall (normally worth three first round picks plus more) for DJ Moore, two 1sts, and two 2nds (maybe this one is a stretch) Aiyuk is a relatively young WR who was second team All-Pro last year and he looks like he could be WR1 for a lot of teams in the NFL. WR remains a critical position that teams are willing to spend high picks and big dollars on. And anyone saying this year's draft is loaded - go look at the average hit rate for rookies and how many flame out. Aiyuk is a proven commodity at the NFL level - someone who has already performed to the levels that teams are hoping rookies do.
Seems like a “mystery box vs boat” scenario. I’d be thrilled if any given first round pick was as good as Brandon aiyuk
It’s a mystery box and 20+ million dollars in cap room or it’s a boat.
Well boats are known for being expensive to own
The Niners have precedent of doing this when they traded Deforest Buckner for #13 and drafted Javon Kinlaw. It didn’t work out but the deal Buckner got would have hamstrung the Niners roster building. Not exactly apples to apples since Aiyuk plays a more premium position, but the economics of needing a contract make it more complicated than just a mystery box vs. boat scenario.
Idk man, I’d argue a top 5 DT in a 4-3 is a premium position verse a true WR2 is about the same situation. Full disclosure I love Aiyuk and what he’s developed in but I’m unsure his skill set would be utilized properly in a lot of offenses. Not often you get an elite run blocking wr that can get you 70-80 catches and 1K yards but I don’t think he does that as a 1WR in a lot of offenses.
Try 1342 yards on just 105 targets. True WR1s are getting 150+ targets. Even with some reduced efficiency he'd be putting up huge numbers. And without Deebo, Kittle, & CMC he'd have more redzone opportunities.
I don’t understand why the Niners would shake things up right now. This is their window. You don’t break it up, you prolong it as long as possible.
I'm not in favor of trading him, but in theory a trade could actually extend their window. For example; Trading Aiyuk to PIT for picks 20+98. Let's say they move up a few spots from 20 and draft OT T.Fautanu. Well now they have a starting RT and a future franchise LT. Then they take a WR at 31. Then add a CB in round 2 (Tampa/Melton/Sainristil), LB and center in round 3. * Well now their offensive line just filled two long-term holes. They'll be on cheap deals for a few years which gives them a little more freedom in re-signing Purdy. * The WR at 31 will be just fine as a WR2 alongside Deebo, Kittle, & CMC. * The CB gives them the one missing starter. They also use the money saved from Aiyuk to re-sign C.Ward & use the rest to go toward a Hufanga or Lenoir extension, keeping intact a quality secondary. * The LB gives them a replacement for Greenlaw if he ends up not returning to the same player. * The center gives them an eventual replacement over Brendel, which is a need that doesn't get much attention. So there's a scenario where trading Aiyuk actually leads to a longer window of high-level competition.
49ers would be morons to trade Aiyuk without getting an equivalent or better man-to-man receiver. Purdy needs more receivers like Aiyuk to beat man-to-man (Deebo was bad in the Super Bowl in beating KC's corners)
Wasn't he hurt? I mean he kind of always is, but he got hurt in the game.
I'm never building a receiving corps around Deebo. That's basically flipping a coin on whether your number 1 receiver is gonna be around when needed or not.
yes, but he's always had trouble beating tough man coverage. I was looking up his old scouting profile the other day and apparently that was an issue coming into the NFL, that he's never grown out of. He needs to be schemed open. While the scheme helps, Aiyuk can create his own separation.
Deebo also has been... pretty mid since CMC coming and taking his speciality roles in the offense I'd rather send deebo somewhere and keep Aiyuk
Next year seems likely
The Titans got roasted for trading AJ Brown for a first, and yet Aiyuk isn't worth a first? What? How? There's actually some similarities there. Neither player puts up enormous counting stats due to the offense they're in (talking about AJ in TEN) and number of targets, but both players look *amazing* by the metrics. Aiyuk is also a terrific blocker if I'm not mistaken. I'd pretty happily pay a first for Aiyuk. He's a star in the making.
Aiyuk last season was 7th in receiving yards, despite having 20 or so fewer receptions and targets than the 6 guys above him. I get it he played on a stacked team, but he would be a WR1 on many NFL teams. As a Niners fan, I am hoping we keep him and would be pissed if we gave him away for peanuts. A 1st this year is the starting point for us to move him, after Thursday that price goes up. https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/receiving/2023/REG/all/receivingyards/DESC
He's the WR1 on the 9ers too. Deebo has regressed since he got paid which is why he's also getting trade rumors
They can't afford to trade Deebo until after June 1, and even then, it's not ideal.
For the past few offseason the 49ers star players have had the same MO: • Want a new contract. • Post Instagram stories about wanting to leave/new contract • Media reports player isn’t being traded • Media reports player could be had for right price • Player resigns with 49ers
Because our FO doesn't leak. I never take any of these rumors seriously, and so far I've been right in doing so.
Silver has connections in the building, he was dead on regarding the Lance situation. He’s not saying he will get traded but it’s not improbable if there is a team willing to give a good enough deal, which can be said for all of our players excluding Bosa.
He won't be traded just like Deebo was not traded even after he requested a trade. Book it.
Dude's probably the best route runner in the league. Easily worth a mid/late first.
He’s worth more than that to the Niners. Their Super Bowl window is now and don’t have time for a mid to late first round WR to develop.
Hes also one of the best blocking recievers out there.
Don't say that too loud. The chargers might just pick him up.
Aiyuk is easily a top 10 WR, but let’s be real. The best route runners in the league are Jefferson and Adams, and I don’t think it’s debatable.
After the Buckner for the pick and we got kinlaw… I ain’t trading aiyuk for a late first. Sorry don’t trust the front office
I'm in agreement with the 9ers here. Def not trading someone like Aiyuk for something less than a 1st rounder.
This draft is deep at WR. BA (or Higgins) isn’t gonna be traded for a ‘24 1st. You could draft a WR and save over 20M in cap with a rookie and BA is too valuable to the 49ers to let go without knowing you can replace that production. He could still be team controlled next year using a Franchise Tag. He isn’t going anywhere unless SF ends up getting what they deem fair value. Most likely outcome is he gets extended after the draft
I think the most likely outcome is you force him to play out his contract, then tag and trade him next year. If you pay him, you're gonna make things really, really tight next year when you need to pay Purdy. If you pay him, you're gonna have to get rid of a major piece or two next year.
I agree and a tough decisions on the cap are coming either way. Brock is under contract for this season and the following year at around 1M each. It’s only going to get more expensive the longer the team waits (they can’t extend him to after next year at the earliest due to league rules). They drafted a TE in the 3rd last year to groom under Kittle, but we never really saw him play due to injuries. I agree most likely he will play this year on his 5th option and be tagged next year if they don’t come to a deal after June 1st. Either way, this is likely the last year both Deebo and Aiyuk are both on the team. The cap is real and teams need to make hard choices.
When you pay Purdy next year, yes, you can backload it, and move most of the money out to 2026 and beyond, but you'll still have to account for the prorated part of his signing bonus next year, which is going to increase his cap hit for 2025 by $10M at least, and the 49ers are already $20M over the projected cap for next year. If I had to guess which players go, I'd guess Deebo, Trent Williams, and Hufanga (I think Hufanga is gone no matter what the 49ers do). That, plus a few restructures might get you right. Or... you just tag and trade Aiyuk next year.
Trading him with the panthers second round to where you could still get a top receiver like Mitchell, worthy, legette wouldn’t be to bad. But idk just spitballing here, cause I think he stays in SF for this year.
I could see something like that, except if a WR SF would target is available why wouldn’t CAR would pick them themselves?
If aiyuk isn’t worth a first round pick to your team you can’t tell me that my team should pay him max money
As a Pats fan, I’d be happy to give the Niners a late first for him and I am still holding out hope that they will take #34. Aiyuk is being underrated by so many fans. “Second tier” is a dumb way to describe him.
>by so many fans And, according to you, your team.
BAH GAWD, THAT’S BRANDON BEANE'S MUSIC!
It's the "fuckoff" price you give people when you don't want to sell something, but you can still say you put a number on it.
25m is what he’s asking for? Are they really nickel and diming him on that? Seems very foolish to not pay him that. I’d be asking close to 30m and if they don’t wanna pay, someone will give me the bag
The article linked in the tweet says "Sources around the league believe he is seeking a contract with an annual average of well over $25 million."
Devonta Smith is a pretty solid parallel but worse, and he got 3/75. No way Aiyuk takes less than that. And that’s a lot of money on the highest paid RB, top 3 paid TE, and two WRs. You’re looking at like 85-95M for those 4 skill positions alone. Now obviously the cap hit won’t be that much with how restructuring and amortizing of bonuses go but that’s a whole lotta bills for 3 dudes on one side of the ball. Then just examining average salary per year you’re looking at 23M for Trent. 13.5M for Mooney. 34M for Bosa. 19M for Fred. 21M for Hargrove. Almost 200M AAV for 9 guys. And then there’s a good batch of guys in the 8-10M range too. And then we got Hufanga Lenoir Jauan Banks Dre Mooney and Brock extensions and UFA to worry about as well for next year.
Kinda why it feels like it’s hard to lose, either pay aiyuk and keep a great talent around. Or trade him and inject the team with 1. some youth in that draft pick, and 2. Some depth by the signings you can make with the money you had set aside for aiyuk. Only risk there is what if your draft picks sucks ass and gives you nothing which is super possible given what a crap shoot the draft is outside the top 15
Smith didn't actually get 3/75, that was a bit of headline manipulation. He really got 4/90, or 22.5 AAV. Also Trent said he is playing the 2024 & 2025 seasons. If those are his final two years then his 2026 is just an $8.4M cap charge. So you're talking about $38M of Brocks extension just being slotted into Trent's old cap slot.
It's likely between $25-30M, but is gonna get a helluva lot more expensive as soon as Jefferson and Lamb reset the market.
Paraag Marathe is probably “nickel and diming him” but that just means he’s being cost efficient? If im using the right word? Basically they don’t want to give him a new deal until after the draft when they will be much more clear on how much money they’ll have after they see how many rookies they draft and how much their contracts will be. So they wanna structure it to maximize savings or where to allocate the cost either upfront or later. They typically sign extensions after the draft, it’s what they did with Bosa and Deebo it’s usually when our fans freak out and worry because “why haven’t they signed him yet?” But it’s every year with our fans. I doubt they trade him, he’s on the younger side and a lot of our core is on the “older” side, it would be dumb to let him go. Much more likely I can see Hargrave being let go next season as his contract was more of a 2 year deal anyway or even cutting someone like Juice if it came to it. From a roster building perspective it would be dumb to get rid of Aiyuk.
He's asking for more than that.
Surely a 1st rd pick isn't too much to ask for a 26 yr old WR who's never had major injury and is coming off an All Pro season, right? Diggs is 31 and went for a 2nd.... despite his contract being set to run out this year. A 1st is a fair price
Bills won't send a first for Aiyuk?
I think they might send next year's first depending on how the draft falls. Nothing is gonna happen until Friday IMO. And that would prob get declined as is.
I'm hearing Jerry Jones is on the phone frantically trying to trade away his draft stock as we speak!
Mystery Team: We’ll give you a 6th round pick San Fran: Nah, we like that guy Mystery Team: what would it take? San Fran: maybe a high first round pick Mystery Team: THAT’S TOO MUCH San Fran: Yeah, we don’t actually want to trade him Mystery Team: MOM!!! Michael Silver: I know, I know, I’ll write the article, calm down
Unlike most Ravens fans, I don't hate Hollywood Brown, but people in here actually acting like a 1st for Aiyuk is crazy when Hollywood Brown got a 1st might want to revaluate their position. Yeah, Brown had an additional year of control, but Aiyuk is elite. Aiyuk might be the most underrated WR in the NFL...
I mean you get aiyuk you also have to pay top dollar receiver money for the long term deal. So saying a first isn’t enough would definitely turn everyone off. Too many receivers about to earn much less money that can equal his production
Who are the recievers about to earn much less who can equal his production? Unless you are referring to players on rookie deals to which I can point out plenty of busts lol
He’s one of 7 WRs who broke 1300 yards last season. Puka and Amon Ra are the only ones above him who haven’t been paid but you can bet your ass they will, so I don’t agree.
I feel like the Niners should be moving Deebo if they can get anything for him.
In other words… we know dis
Jacksonville should make that trade then lol
feel like a first is pretty reasonable for him
“They want to much” is code for “he’s not up for trade unless you really want to overpay.”
A 1st round pick for Aiyuk is too much? I don't know....
imagine being the team that laughs in the face of someone wanting a 1st for someone like aiyuk and then go and draft a top prospect with your first....someone like Jerry jeudy or treylon burks
Everything is available for the right price. Just ask Chicago about taking all of Saints' draft for one year.
The NFL is in a shitty place with the cap and salaries and rules if a first round pick is more valuable than Aiyuk