NFL Exec Ranks Brandon Aiyuk as a Top-3 WR in NFL amid 49ers Contract, Trade Rumors

One NFL executive told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that he believes San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is a top-three wide receiver.

"More downfield production, huge jump in yards per catch, quietly has almost 300 [career] catches," the exec said. "Excels as a blocker. Lower body ability is as good as anyone."

The executive made the comments amid Fowler's chats with executives, coaches and scouts to compile top-10 rankings for 11 different NFL positions.

Aiyuk, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract that will pay him $14.1 million in 2024, has issued a trade request to the 49ers in his search for a long-term deal, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. ESPN's Adam Schefter has also reported the 49ers have "no intention" of trading Aiyuk.

Garafolo also previously reported Aiyuk and the 49ers were "no closer to a deal" but "also no closer to a trade request" after meeting in person recently.

It appears the 26-year-old has changed his tune on the trade request front, and it's easy to see why. He just caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns and was clearly one of the league's top-10 wide receivers at worst last year. Aiyuk deserves to get paid but obviously doesn't see a pathway to achieving that in San Francisco right now.

Of course, things can change, and the 49ers and Aiyuk can strike a deal late in the preseason or even in the week leading up to the regular season a la Nick Bosa in 2023. But right now, the landscape isn't looking great for a long-term deal in San Francisco for a player who's thought to be a top-three wideout talent by at least one front-office exec.