There’s more to it than just catching the pigskin.
One of the prerequisites to being a wide receiver in the 49ers offense is a willingness to block. Need proof? Just watch Christian McCaffrey’s 65 touchdown romp in Sunday’s 30-7 season-opening win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
McCaffrey started it off with a sleek spin move to shake a defender, but then the fireworks really started. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk flattened Steelers safety Damontae Kazee 15 yards down field with a punishing block, before Ray-Ray McCloud bullied Pittsburgh cornerback Patrick Peterson as McCaffrey dove into the end zone.
The run was CMC’s longest since joining the 49ers in a midseason trade last year. His 152 yards on 22 carries was also his highest total in a Niners uniform, and the dual threat added three catches for 17 yards as he finished with 25 touches.
Despite the huge individual effort, McCaffrey wanted to shout out his receivers for their blocking after the game.
“The whole run game, it’s an 11-man job,” McCaffrey said. “They made great blocks. I made a little spin in there and got sprung and then, man, I think it was Aiyuk and Ray-Ray downfield. When you have receivers who block like that, it’s a special feeling for a running back. You truly feel like your guys have your back and that’s an awesome feeling to have when you’re out there.”
Aiyuk did it all for the Niners on Sunday, as he also caught all eight of his targets for a career-high 129 yards and two touchdowns – beating outspoken Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson in the process.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Aiyuk said run-blocking was a big focus for the receivers entering the game.
“It was a crazy gameplan in the run game,” Aiyuk said. “Just in terms of our assignments on the outside, going in tight, blocking those guys on the end, blocking those linebackers.”
His efforts aren’t going unnoticed, as 49ers defensive captain Fred Warner also recognized the receivers for their contributions to the run game. He said it’s hard for him to imagine any other NFL team having such a proficient run-blocking receivers group like the 49ers.
“I don’t know. If there is, I haven’t seen it like we do it,” Warner said. “That’s an emphasis on that side. If you wanna play and you wanna start at that position, it’s not about just catching the ball. They do a heck of a job of downfield blocking as aggressively as I’ve seen.”
In all, the Niners outgained the Steelers 391 yards to 239 yards. The San Francisco offense is looking like a well-oiled machine again after last year’s strong finish with McCaffrey and Purdy. Over the last 11 regular season games, the team is averaging 30.5 points per contest.
On a day when receiver Deebo Samuel (five catches, 55 yards) and tight end George Kittle (three catches, 19 yards) were held in check, McCaffrey continued to prove that he’s the engine of the offense, with a lot of help from Aiyuk, McCloud and Co.
