Brandon Aiyuk would make Terry McLaurin better

Brandon Aiyuk, WR
School: Arizona State | Conference: PAC 12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6’0” / 205 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Round 2 to 4
NFL Comparison: Robert Woods

College Statistics

Player Overview

Aiyuk was a junior college transfer, coming in from two years at Sierra College (CA) to Arizona State in 2018. During his junior season at ASU, he played in all 13 games for the Sun Devils and was able to collect 33 catches for 474 yards and 3 TDs opposite future first round pick N’Keal Harry. He was also an important part of the special teams’ game, with 381 yards as a punt and kick returner.

Aiyuk had a break-out senior season, catching 65 passes for 1,192 yards and 8 TDs. In addition, he had a monstrous year as a return man with 672 return yards (31.9 KR/avg and 16.1 PR/avg) as well as a TD. His impressive season garnered him third team All American honors and first team All PAC 12 honors. He had core muscle surgery in April 2020, which generally requires a 4-8 week recovery, which could hamper his draft stock a bit in the current climate.

Strengths

• Has great run after the catch skills.
• May be faster than his Combine times, given he was dealing with a core injury.
• Very strong vertical game and speed off the line of scrimmage.
• Twitchy.
• Solid blocker.
• Asset in the return game.

Weaknesses

• Can have issues getting off the press.
• Needs to work on route running in man coverage.
• Has to continue to refine his technique create separation.
• Should tighten up his ball carrying.

Let’s See His Work

How He Would Fit

Current projections have Aiyuk climbing up the draft board, and possibly off of it before the Redskins have their second pick, in the beginning of the third round. It’s impossible to say whether his recent surgery will help or hurt his draft stock, but I tend to look at it as a positive - if he had those senior year numbers and solid Combine results running injured, what is this guy’s ceiling when he’s healthy?

With only 2 years at the FBS level, Aiyuk still seems to be a wide receiver under development, with a ceiling that he’s yet to approach. His vision and experience in the return game shines through brightly in his run-after-the-catch ability as well. If the Redskins are looking for a speed burner to pair opposite Terry McLaurin for years to come, Aiyuk could absolutely be their guy.