2020 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking top 10 wide receivers in historic class
By Samuel Teets
9. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
As a senior, Brandon Aiyuk broke onto the national scene. He finished the season with 65 receptions, 1,192 yards, and eight touchdowns. He also made an impact in the return game, averaging 31.9 yards per kick return and 16.1 yards per punt return. Aiyuk’s one season of standout production vaulted him into the first round on some early mock drafts.
Unfortunately, Aiyuk is not ready to face aggressive NFL defensive schemes. Press coverage can shut down his routes before they even begin, and strong defensive backs can bump him off of his routes down the field. His 4.5-second 40-yard time won’t create too much separation at the pro level either.
The senior standout also struggles with contested catches, which further dampens his projection against NFL defenses. However, Aiyuk is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He targets defensive backs and finishes plays with a bang. He can also translate his return skills to open field yards after the catch. Now and then, he breaks a big play.
Aiyuk seems like more of a three to four-year project. He might surprise teams by becoming a significant contributor as soon as his second season, but Aiyuk will likely slide to the late second-round or early third. Still, NFL teams love what he does against coverage when defenses give him space near the line of scrimmage.