Perhaps the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk were meant for each other. The last time the team picked a wide receiver in the first round that went on to make the Pro Bowl was Jerry Rice in 1985 – 13 years before Aiyuk was born. He was born into some 49ers fandom though.
He told reporters in his post-draft video chat with 49ers reporters that his mom is a lifetime 49ers fan. After getting picked, Aiyuk posted a photo of himself at four-years old wearing a 49ers turtleneck.
The 49ers have struggled to find quality wide receivers essentially Aiyuk’s entire life. The only receiver they’ve drafted in the first round since he was born in 1998 was Michael Crabtree. He did it once and that was over a decade ago.
San Francisco traded up to take Aiyuk No. 25 overall after his two very productive years at Arizona State. Perhaps his long time connection to the team is a sign the curse of the 49ers’ first-round receiver is about to end.
