While the 49ers quarterback position has been the primary focus this offseason, those debates often miss how talented the rest of the offense is. San Francisco is loaded at the skill positions, especially wide receiver.
In Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers have two of the best receivers in the NFL. For San Francisco, Samuel is 1A while Aiyuk is 1B when it comes to their importance to the offense.
What makes the duo so difficult for defenses is each brings his own unique skillset.
Samuel is a powerful player who is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. Meanwhile, Aiyuk is a more refined route runner who can shake defenders to get open.
Aiyuk is a rising star. His numbers have gone up every year leading some to wonder if he will have a bigger role in San Francisco’s passing game in 2023.
The answer, probably not.
A catalyst to Aiyuk reaching 1,000 yards for the first time in his career last season was an increase in targets. Aiyuk saw a career high 114 targets. However, the 6.7 targets per game for the wideout weren’t far off the 8 targets per game he posted as a rookie in 2020. Injuries to Deebo Samuel were a common denominator for those two seasons.
After struggling in 2022, Samuel has vowed to come out stronger this season. If he can stay fully healthy and be the player fans saw in 2019 and 2021, Samuel will get more targets and be the 49ers leading wide receiver. San Francisco’s offense does too much through him for it to be any other way.
Kittle, Samuels, Aiyuk, CMC, Jennings, McCloud, Mitchell and Mason there are only so many balls. If Lance ends up being the starter them maybe Aiyuk will have his break out year. With Purdy starting CMC could go for 1000 rushing and receiving.
Ridiculous and insulting to Purdy who was great last year on deep throws. In a throwing contest lance would no doubt throw deeper passes but in a game situation Purdy clearly has demonstrated better QB skills and an ability to throw with accuracy at all levels.
I am so excited about Purdy. Meanwhile, Trey “deer in the headlights” Lance is going to burn up $9M of our salary cap in 2023. The niners always whiff on first round QBs.
Felix,
My caveat was IF Lance was able to beat out Purdy (I don’t think he will) but if he does he is a strong thrower of deep passes while Purdy excels in the short and medium passing game. You keep saying Purdy was great last year on deep throws, I didn’t see that. Do you have the numbers to back your statement
Watch the Bucs game. I’m sure there are others, but I just finished rewatching that one. He threw a couple of sweet deep passes, both touchdowns.
Dcords, did not have any tape on Purdy in that Bucs game. I don’t know if you remember Kaepernick’s game against the vaunted Chicago Bears team. But, many 49ers fans said that Kaepernick would wet the bed a few days before the game.
He went out and beat the Bears decisively. Why? The DCords hadn’t dissected his strengths and weaknesses yet. Once they did, well, the rest is history.
If Purdy can equal or surpass last years effort, I will be his biggest fan. But first, I need to see his play in year two after the opposing defenses have analyzed his strengths and weaknesses.
DC’s found out a lot of things Kap couldn’t do none of which apply to Purdy.
Purdy is leaps and bounds ahead of where Sackorpick was at this stage in their respective careers..Sackorpick had happy feet..he couldn’t wait to take off and run with the ball..with a QB like that, DC’s don’t have much to figure out…with the offensive system the 9ers have, and the players that play in the system, it’s not as easy…efficiency…much like Walsh’s system, the QB is just a part of the equation…route running, play fake execution and offensive line play all contribute…when they all properly execute , defenses have their work cut out for them
As bad as CK was, he did make it to the SB which is something Purdy hasn’t done. Regardless, of how we feel about Kaepernick, he does have that over Brock.
I’m not taking anything away from Purdy’s great play in 2022. I, just need to see it again this season before I’m completely sold on him. It’s football, players have to prove themselves every season.
Well there’s a stretch not that it has anything to do with the conversation but I understand your need to change the conversation.
Felix,
When did you become the moderator on this site?
What IS a “stretch” is you trying to disqualify other posters opinions and comments.
Perhaps Jack needs to shut down everyone’s comments except yours, since you think you run this blog.
Also, what is my NEED to change the conversation? I’d really like to know.
The stretch was comparing Kaps SB appearance to Purdys non appearance because purdym got injured. You changed the conversation when I pointed out that Purdy didn’t have the weaknesses that Kap had. Now you know. You have a right to your opinion and I have a right to mine. If sometimes my opinion pisses you off, so sad, so sorry.
It wasn’t a comparison, it is a fact.
BTW, it’s very convenient of you to use Purdy’s injury as an excuse, but fail to use the same measure when it comes to Lance’s injury.
Facts, dude. Bring facts! Not convenient excuses.
AES,
Like Nakamoto advised me just prove who the bigger man is by your slience.
AES, it was a comparison and you made it. Read your own post. Now you are going to deflect again by adding Lance into it? Relax man, it’s just a disagreement. Have a good night.
The only comparison was that, just like CK’s successful first start against Bears, Purdy’s first start against the Bucs was similar in that the DCords had no tape on them.
The comparison wasn’t about the QBs it was about the lack of information that the DCords had on them.
I’m sorry that you can’t decipher something that I made quite clear.
Your interpretation is of your own making, not mine.
The 9ers made it to the Super Bowl, while Sackorpick was the QB, not because of him…the defense had as much to do with that team getting there, if not more, than he did…just as with Sackorpick, it’ll take more than just Purdy…fans have a tendency to put too much emphasis on the QB, when football is more than one guy…
Delete
“The 9ers made it to the Super Bowl, while Sackorpick was the QB, not because of him…”
55, are you saying that CK had nothing to do with the 49ers reaching the Superbowl? Perhaps you missed his playoff game against the Packers when he racked up a record 181 yrds rushing.
Disliking a player (or protecting a current player) doesn’t diminish CK’s accomplishments.
In no way, am I, a Kaepernick apologist, but some facts whether good or bad
can’t be buried.
That’s why I said, “As bad as CK was, he did make it to the SB which is something Purdy hasn’t done.”
I’ll just leave it at that.
Shemp,
I wouldn’t consider those passes as “deep” passes. I would describe them as medium depth. They were not what we used to describe as bombs.
I’m shocked you don’t know the standard definitions for short, medium and long passes.
Jack has provided the stats many times but watching the games you could see he can make all the throws.
Felix,
Okay then you say he passes the eye test. I will remind you of that next time you demand stats to backup someones opinion.
Old Coach, why do you respond to Felix. He obviously dispises you. Even if everything he says is true, his responses to you are not made in good will. Let him go already. Your worth is not dependent on what he or anybody thinks of you.
Naka,
You are right. I go a while without responding to him and then I am drawn back in. I think it may have to do with how few responders we get around here. Back before The PD cut and ran on the blog there were about 100 9er fans to respond to but now its around 15 to 20. I just have to be a little more disciplined.
I don’t despise you. just hoping that you will become more knowledgeable since you post So often.
Felix,
Chirp, chirp that is the sound of crickets
3 days to go!!!!
Can Brock make all the throws? I’d say he’s pin-point accurate at 50 yards. Lance can throw the ball farther, but you can’t depend on his accuracy. Unless that will change due to his new throwing motion.
Do I have any stats on this? No, but we’ve all seen the two of them throw.
Geo,
The whole discussion began with me writing that if Lance happened to win the starting job that Aiyuk might have a better season while if Purdy happens to win the job (which is what I think will happen) that CMC might have a better season. I was just expressing my opinion no stats involved and I wasn’t in any way criticizing Purdy’s ability.
No worries, OC, you’re free to say anything you want without someone having a snitfit about it. It’s just about football after all. This is supposed to be fun.
But it’s not all about arm strength and accuracy. Brock has shown he processes very quickly, has a ton of confidence, reads the field, is escapable, and can create on the scramble. Lance frankly has shown none of this except being able to escape. Will he? I think that’s an open question. If he has the ability he will, but it will take a lot of reps. He’s no where near Brock’s level.
Jack,
I have asked a couple of times.
#1 will the media be out there for the 1st week of camp the 18th thru the 24th?
#2 which players will be participating 18-24?
#3 do you know what they will be working on 18-24?
OC, Without our eyes and ears by the field what good is a TC?
I hope Jack is working on a pre-TC write up.
Dee,
I’m just very interested in what they are doing that first week.
OC, We are on the same page!
Jack is our eyes and ears on the field, love to see his reports and updates.
2 days to go!!!!
None of all that bickering up above matters. It’ll be Shanahan’s call. Yes Aiyuk has gotten better every year.
And Shanahan rode Aiyuk to get better. But it’s all going to come down to play calls. And Shanahan doesn’t make many calls for deep passes. Occasionally he does. With a twist.
Samuel’s will be ready.
Aiyuk will be ready.
My only concern is the Oline protecting the Qb.
Competition breeds success. As long as no one gets the panties in a wad because the lack of balls to go around, this could be an amazing year. But people have to leave their feelings at home.
1 day to go!!!!