San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk tempted the 49ers so much they traded up to draft him in the first round.
He’s already shown why, two games into his bright career.
“You take every week and day as if you’re the focal point offense, and that’s how you get better,” Aiyuk said. “Hopefully it translates to the game and you get those targets.”
He got moving in the third quarter of Sunday’s 36-9 rout of the New York Giants, scoring on a 19-yard run and totaling a team-high 70 receiving yards on five catches for the day.
“Aiyuk really stepped it up in the second half and did a great job,” said Nick Mullens, who threw for 343 yards starting in place of Jimmy Garoppolo.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens, right, hands off to Brandon Aiyuk who runs it in for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk, center, celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) celebrates scoring a touchdown with quarterback Nick Mullens (4) against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 27: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball as Jabrill Peppers #21 of the New York Giants defends at MetLife Stadium on September 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates with teammates Brandon Aiyuk (11) and Ross Dwelley (82) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) celebrates with Brandon Aiyuk during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos on a mobile device.
Aiyuk made his Niners debut on the same MetLife Stadium field last week against the Jets (two catches, 21 yards), and that set him up for a stronger encore. He totaled 31 rushing yards on three carries, along with his team-high eight targets as a receiver.
“Last week I was getting my feet wet and understood how the game works,” Aiyuk said. “I got the jitters out the way and I was able to come in today and just play.”
He could play alongside Deebo Samuel as early as the 49ers’ next game, if they activate Samuel off injured reserve and his surgically repaired foot cooperates.
Samuel had a similar stat line to open his 49ers career last season as a second-round pick. He had a modest debut (three receptions, 17 yards) and before an encouraging encore (five catches, 86 yards, one touchdown; two carries, seven yards).
Aiyuk’s Aug. 23 hamstring injury delayed his 49ers debut a week, and growing pains are sure to come, like they did in Sunday’s first half.
After coach Kyle Shanahan said Aiyuk “struggled a little early in the first half,” he walked back the criticism, somewhat.
“I probably shouldn’t have said that because struggles are to my own standard and how I am with these guys,” Shanahan said. “Just a couple plays I want him to do better on, but by no means were they bad (enough) where anyone else would have noticed.”
Aiyuk’s first three catches sparked the drive that ended in his first touchdown. He is the first 49ers wide receivers since 1970 to score his first career touchdown via a run, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Shanahan said Aiyuk’s action picked up in the third quarter because, as their split end, he drew better looks in coverage and was Mullens’ No. 1 option. Aiyuk was no one-man act, however. Mullens completed passes to 10 different receivers.
Kendrick Bourne had four catches for 63 yards starting alongside Aiyuk, who anticipated Mullens’ stellar day.
“Nick’s great in the huddle. He’s calm and gets us going,” Aiyuk said. “Just in practice, I understood early on what I was getting from Nick. He did a great job talking to me about some mistakes I made, kept my involved, kept my head right.”
