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ESPN writer argues Pro Bowl snub Aiyuk should replace Rams’ Nacua originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The NFL announced the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games rosters Wednesday, and nine 49ers player made the cut.
While San Francisco produced the highest number of Pro Bowl selections during the 2023 NFL season, there arguably were 49ers who got snubbed.
ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder believes star wideout Brandon Aiyuk is one of those snubs, left off the NFC Pro Bowl roster despite his status as a top target of MVP candidate Brock Purdy.
“This is the hardest sell to me,” Walder wrote in a piece published Wednesday night. “I’m sure he got dinged for ‘only’ 1,317 receiving yards but that is partially driven by the fact that the 49ers are leading so often that they have become run-heavy late in games.
“The advanced metrics also back up Aiyuk, who leads all players in [ESPN’s] receiver tracking metrics’ overall score (97) for the season.”
Walder believes Aiyuk deserves a Pro Bowl nod over Los Angeles Rams rookie Puka Nacua, listing the young receiver as the player Aiyuk should replace.
Through 17 weeks, Aiyuk has 72 receptions for 1,317 yards and seven touchdowns. In comparison, Nacua has 101 receptions for 1,445 yards and five touchdowns.
However, as Walder wrote, Aiyuk likely has less impressive numbers due to the 49ers’ season-long dominance, which allows coach Kyle Shanahan to rest starters before the end of games.
Meanwhile, Nacua plays for a gritty 9-7 Rams team that was missing Cooper Kupp for what will be a total of five games this season, often making Nacua Matthew Stafford’s primary option.
This year, Aiyuk became the fifth 49ers receiver to have consecutive 1,000-plus-yard seasons, as the star wideout had 1,015 receiving yards a season ago.
After San Francisco’s 28-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14, Shanahan praised Aiyuk for his development and persistence.
“Just every year, [Aiyuk] gets so much better on the football field and also…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/espn-writer-argues-pro-bowl-075033421.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-01-04 07:50:33
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