Broncos 2020 draft prospect: Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk

The Denver Broncos have a need for speed at the wide receiver position, and Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk could be a solution in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Denver Broncos have a superstar in the making at the wide receiver position already in Courtland Sutton. Aside from Sutton, however, the Broncos could certainly stand to add more playmakers at the wide receiver position in the 2020 NFL Draft, and as fate would have it, this is one of the deepest drafts at receiver in recent memory.

One player, among many, who is undoubtedly on the radar is Arizona State’s Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk dominated at the JUCO ranks before making his move to Arizona State in 2018 where he played fourth fiddle in the passing game led by eventual first-round pick N’Keal Harry.

After N’Keal Harry’s NFL departure, it was the Brandon Aiyuk show at Arizona State. Even with a true freshman quarterback and a porous offensive line, Aiyuk’s big play abilities shined all year long to the tune of 63 receptions for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns.

Not only did Aiyuk star as a receiver for the Sun Devils, but he also returned kicks and punts. He averaged a hair under 32 yards per kickoff return and 16.1 yards per punt return with a touchdown against Oregon State.

As I was playing the role of John Elway in a recent staff mock draft over at NFL Mocks, I traded down with the Vikings to pick 22 overall (acquiring an extra second-rounder in the process) and snagged Aiyuk there, disappointing a large sect of Broncos Country who was hoping for either Denzel Mims or a defensive back.

All throughout the 2020 offseason, Aiyuk has been undervalued in mock draft simulators, often hanging around at the Broncos’ second round pick. In my opinion, it’s largely because of the mock draft simulators that Aiyuk has unfairly gotten a firm second-round reputation this draft season, but is that what the tape says?

The Broncos spoke with Aiyuk at the Scouting Combine formally, and despite the fact that he didn’t participate, it wouldn’t be a shock if they met with him at the Senior Bowl as well.

John Elway has been around the Arizona State program plenty since he became a general manager, flocking to the school’s facilities for a number of prospects dating back to Brock Osweiler (and Omar Bolden) in 2012 and as recently as last year at the ASU pro day to watch players like N’Keal Harry.

Obviously, a Combine meeting or Elway’s history of favoring the PAC 12 and even consistently keeping a close eye on Arizona State in general doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but they could all be potential factors as the Broncos proceed with adding to their offensive weaponry.

What does Aiyuk bring to the table that makes him a legitimate first-round candidate for the Broncos?

• Speed – Although Aiyuk tested with a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash, nothing on his tape indicates his speed is average or even just above average. He has outstanding play speed and is a burner. It wouldn’t surprise if he was more of a high 4.3’s guy.
• Catch radius – Aiyuk is a shade under 6-feet tall, but he’s got a ridiculou 6-foot-8 wingspan. His catch radius is outstanding, and even better when you consider he has a 40-inch vertical jump. His explosiveness and length are ridiculous.
• RAC ability – Aiyuk has a strong lower half and it shows up consistently on tape as he’s able to break arm tackles and stay on his feet, making huge plays after the catch. In addition to being strong enough to break tackles, Aiyuk has tremendous open-field vision and speed. He accelerates from 0-60 so fast, most defensive backs can’t keep up.
• Special teams value – You don’t always want a first-round pick returning kicks and punts, but Aiyuk is very good at both and would add value there if the Broncos want.
• Better route runner than advertised – People seem to think Aiyuk can only win on slants, 9s, or screen plays. That’s simply not the case. He’s a better route runner than advertised and he’s able to consistently beat man coverage with head fakes, deception with upper body movement, and the constant threat of his long speed.

The Broncos need a guy like Aiyuk to complement Courtland Sutton. Everyone in Broncos Country would be thrilled with a prospect like Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb or Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy/Henry Ruggs III, but if those three are unlikely to make it to Denver’s pick, Aiyuk is not a bad consolation prize at all.

Although he has just one year of being the primary target at Arizona State after spending a couple of seasons at the JUCO ranks, Aiyuk’s skill set is exactly what the Broncos need at the receiver position and just like Deebo Samuel was used last year with the 49ers, the Broncos could be creative in manufacturing Aiyuk touches with his ability to create in space, break tackles, and break free with his long speed.

It’s critical to keep in mind that this is an abnormal year for receivers. While there is no real AJ Green, Julio Jones, or Calvin Johnson type, there are a lot of really dynamic players who offer a lot of traits that NFL teams need and covet right now.

Although he might not be a great value at the 15th overall pick, if the Broncos are able to trade down in the first round and pick up an additional second-round pick, Aiyuk is a player they could very well target and he would be a good value.

The Broncos could still go a number of directions in the first round — cornerback, safety, maybe even center if they like Cesar Ruiz enough — but if they are going wide receiver and miss out on the generally consensus top three, don’t rule out Aiyuk.