SANTA CLARA — Brandon Aiyuk is making his case to be undisputed WR1 for the 49ers this season, but fullback Kyle Juszczyk took it a step further Thursday, heaping some high praise on the fourth-year receiver.
“He really has been so dominant,” Juszczyk said. “Each and every day it seems like he’s the best player on the field.”
On a day when the 49ers quarterbacks were stifled by the defense, Aiyuk turned in arguably the best play of practice, as he ran a crispy post route and hauled in a laser from Brock Purdy for a 20-plus-yard gain.
We’ve seen the route running and sure hands from Aiyuk throughout camp, but Juszczyk said the receiver is maturing behind the scenes, too.. Aiyuk arrived as a quiet rookie and spent the beginning of his second season in coach Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse, but it sounds like he’s blossoming into a rising star.
“He’s put it on tape,” Juszczyk said. “Once you have that, it just instills this confidence in everything you do. It’s not even just on the field that I see it from Brandon. Just him walking around the locker room and his interactions with everybody and how he speaks to players, to coaches. He’s a confident veteran now that knows he can accomplish big things out there.”
Cornerback Mooney Ward, who is currently dealing with an adductor strain, echoed Juszczyk’s assessment that Aiyuk has been the best player in camp so far.
“I look forward to getting out there and competing against him when I get back – a couple of one-on-ones,” Ward said. “We’re gonna make each other better. He’s ballin’ right now and in his bag, for sure.”
While Deebo Samuel was out of shape and struggled last season following his remarkable 2021 campaign, Aiyuk led the 49ers in targets (114), catches (78), receiving yards (1,015) and had eight touchdowns last year.
Deebo has shown up leaner in camp this year and is vowing to show that last year was a fluke. He remains a wrecking ball, while Aiyuk is more of a finesse receiver who doesn’t mind contact. Juszczyk is expecting both things from the dueling talents at wideout and showed up to his media appearance Thursday rocking an Aiyuk hat and Deebo hoodie.
“These are two of my favorite guys on the team – B.A. and Deebo,” Juszczyk said. “Speaking of growth, I think both of those guys have grown so much. Deebo talked about how he’s holding himself accountable for a big season and it’s just so hard not to recognize how well B.A. has been playing.”
