Should I Start Brandon Aiyuk in Week 2? WR Fantasy Football Rankings Analysis

Brandon Aiyuk has long been a wide receiver darling of hardcore fantasy managers and film watchers alike.

His Week One explosion was a celebration on all sides, and even brought a smile to the casual fantasy gamer's face, knowing he was drafted in rounds 5-6.

Has Aiyuk cemented himself as the 49ers' WR1, or is another boom-or-bust season in store? Let's take a look.

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Brandon Aiyuk Fantasy Football Outlook

The fourth-year wideout caught 8 of 8 targets for 129 yards and two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary. He's proven to be one of the most efficient receiving options in the NFL, finishing Week 1 second in yards per route run (YPRR) and first in total expected points added (EPA) among wide receivers.

It's notable that he ran four fewer routes than Deebo Samuel, but he generally operates in the intermediate area, where quarterback Brock Purdy excels.

San Francisco is also one of the Super Bowl favorites and should be leading the majority of games, leading to fewer team pass attempts and therefore, fewer targets for wideouts Aiyuk and Samuel. Luckily, the former has shown excellent efficiency and can remain a weekly contributor to your fantasy football team.

Brandon Aiyuk: Wide Receiver Rankings Analysis

The Arizona State product enters Week 2 as the WR14 in RotoBaller's staff rankings.

A 31% target share is elite usage in any offense. This week's opponent, the Los Angeles Rams, played well last week but have a young secondary. It's nearly impossible to expect Aiyuk's Week 1 efficiency to continue, but a slight drop in either target share or YPRR still places him as a fantasy WR2.

Should I Start Brandon Aiyuk In Week 2 Fantasy Football?

Yes. You likely drafted him to be a starter for your fantasy football roster, and that's where he should remain until further notice. The days of being in Kyle Shanahan's doghouse appear to be long gone, as the 49ers' new WR1 becomes a better player each week.

The reason he isn't ranked higher is the likelihood of a positive game script and overall low volume. Regardless, Aiyuk provides your team with a respectable floor with 30+ point upside in a given week.

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