Thread by @eric_crocker

I know y’all have seen the explosive highlights. I wanted shine light on a few things I’ve noticed that makes me really like him.. the little subtle things .. maybe things that Made Shanahan have him as his WR1 and trade up for him 🤔

Who is Brandon Aiyuk? #CrockTalk #49ers

I want to start by saying.. I hear people say Aiyuk is "raw' and while I definitely think there's room for improvement, I think he's further along with his consistency as a route runner than guys like Ceedee Lamb or Henry Ruggs.. Could name a lot of other guys too but yeah

I think that comes from him being a do it all guy at Sierra College. Got offered by Alabama and several other colleges to play DB. He's a legit athlete. Can play wtv he wanted. He chose WR. Luckily he didn't run into me because i would've said "Play CB kid" lol

There are areas he can improve on. I think At times USC's CB Elijah Griffin (Warren G's son REGULAAATTOORRSS) got his hands all in his chest. Too much for my liking..

Like this here. Ok its a zone.. Easy for CB to get hands on with outside shade. But so what.. Dont let it happen lol have a plan.. Cant let that happen. So there were reps where i felt the longer he played, things like that will be less likely to happen.. Because he has it all

Now i know you guys have seen all the highlights... so this isnt about that.. its about what i look for.. and i think Kyle likes a similar style receiver as i do.. so i wont show any plays like this lol alot of the reps i have cut up he doesnt even get the ball but he can do this

Now this one he does happen to get the ball.. But what im looking at is the explosiveness out of the little hesi step. Like.. foot in the ground.. explode by the CB.. create that separation.. You can see him change gears. QB throws it out there.. it might be 6

RPO.. But look at the feet and hands.. your feed and hands work in unison.. work em.. Now he's initially just setting the CB up and then BOOM.. explode across his face.. Its not stiff.. looks light on his feet. And obviously that's a staple in the 49ers offense. Win on slants

Again.. They say he's "raw" idk about that.. Great job here.. feet.. stem.. nice stem to square the corner up all while creating space to the sideline and then BOOM.. foot in the ground.. explode out.. QB would just have to lead him and thats 6. Separation

Corners dont create the space for receivers. Receivers if if the corner does create the space.. attack it and you have a 2-way go.. Again foot in the ground.. if the QB wants to throw it out there that's 6. Works back at the end like a scramble drill. This is initially a go route

He has a lot of natural explosiveness to him. had 40" vert or wtv.. you can see it when he puts his foot in the ground to explode by a cb or cross face

Again.. GL fade. Now idk if this is just a run but anyone who' has been following me and my threads know i like to see receivers work even on run plays. Gives the cb something to think about

Movement skills. Explosiveness. Corner is bailing.. feet, jab, explode. Should've been 6. Corner was sitting on an in-breaking route. That was almost ugly.

Attack the corners leverage... When corners are playing way off its sometimes hard to get them in panic made but there goes that oh shit turn.. and then sit the route down. It's all about how he effects the CB.

Earlier in zone i showed Griffin get hands on. Here in man, not so much (Good job Darby up top). But yeah.. Good strong inside move.. Good job initially attacking and then BOOM.. cross face.. good hands.. look at that separation

He's not "raw" lol But anyways.. the thread continues

Cant play 5 yards off its man and you arent catching.Tim McDonald told me "Crock thats no mans land". We've seen several examples of the separation he creates when puttin his foot in the ground. Again here on the dig. Easier to attack leverage and cross face when you're explosive

Now watch the patience.. CB wants to give ground.. ok.. inch towards him and set him up.. BOOM foot in the ground.. separation. The threat of him going vertical also helps

Good feet. I watched Stevie Johnson on IG live this morning talk about playing basketball at the LOS. Thats what Aiyuk is doing here. Play basketball with him.

Side note: I think Griffin broke up a fade maybe the play before this.. I THINK. Cant remember lol

Im just pointing out what Kyle sees. What type of ability this dude has. I know yall see the highlights but this stuff is consistent and he'll only keep improving

Likely reading the DB here.. heavy outside sit it down.. heavy inside run to the corner. Have to be on the same page with your QB.

I tried not to show stuff like this. Wanted show more movement skills type stuff.But good job being a vertical threat here.. splitting the bracket coverage. Touchdown. Way to fight through the contact. Play strong

Alright.. That's enough lol i had a bunch of more cut ups ready but i just wanted to put out there what i saw and what i think Kyle Shanahan saw. His explosiveness is very natural. Very natural movement skills.

When he got drafted i tweeted that his best days are ahead of him but where he's starting from is really good. He's not a project. He's not anymore "raw" than any other receiver coming out of college. Has all the tools. Sounds like he's a great hard working kid. #CrockyOut

Oh wait.. last thing.. The offense that hes going into is as good of a fit for a receiver as it gets. For HIM he went to the perfect offense.

There will still be a transition period. Especially with no OTA's for rookies. Learning a new offense can sometimes take away from your athleticism because you are thinking so much. So I don't know when it'll click for Aiyuk but once it does, he'll be dangerous. Ok.. Now I'm out