Busts on the San Francisco 49ers

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As we race toward August, Footballguys.com will examine one team per weekday with our quick-hitting Team Sleepers feature. These players might not be complete busts, but we will be highlighting players our staff thinks will disappoint this year and underperform their average draft position (ADP).

Go Deeper: See in-depth projections for every 49ers player here >>>

This is a weekday series that will stretch through August 1. If you like this and want another, come back the next workday. Another will be here.

Please note that our staff has identified the players listed below. The official Footballguys stance for every 49er can be found on our projections page.

Busts on the San Francisco 49ers

• WR Brandon Aiyuk - 11 votes
• WR Jauan Jennings - 2 votes
• RB Christian McCaffrey - 1 vote
• EDGE Mykel Williams - 1 vote
• CB Deommodore Lenoir - 1 vote

Reasons WR Brandon Aiyuk Could Be a Bust

• Meng Song: Aiyuk is expected to start the season on the reserve/PUP list. He's an avoid unless his ADP drops to the double-digit rounds, given risk vs. limited upside.
• Hutchinson Brown: The injury to Aiyuk was a multi-ligament tear, and we are still not 100% sure if he will be ready for Week 1. I'm gonna avoid the headache and pass on Aiyuk.
• Ben Cummins: He's returning from a major injury and has to compete for targets with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall.
• Phil Alexander: There is growing optimism around Aiyuk's recovery from ACL and MCL tears. Still, you can find better value at his ADP, especially at quarterback.
• David Zacharias: With a favorable schedule and a deep receiver corps, the 49ers don't need to hurry Aiyuk's return from ACL and MCL tears.
• Jeff Blaylock: The last 49er recovering from a significant lower-leg injury entering training camp with optimism for his Week 1 availability wound up missing most of the season. Aiyuk won't be rushed back into action.
• Jeff Haseley: If he starts on the PUP list to begin the year, he won't be worth the draft pick used to acquire him. Wait, and pick up via waivers later in the season.
• Julia Papworth: The drama, plus the injury last year, seems to have soured the love for Aiyuk in the organization. The multi-ligament tear could cause a start on the PUP, and if the team comes out guns blazing, what's to say they don't rush him back?
• Colton Dodgson: Outside of his 147-yard outburst in Week 5, Aiyuk was held under 50 receiving yards in five of his first six games to start 2024. The injury and the team's depth at the skill positions make him a tough sell.
• Craig Lakins: His knee injury was serious enough last season that I have real doubts that he'll be a factor in 2025.
• Andy Hicks: Recovery from multiple knee ligament tears usually isn't smooth. If he misses time at the start of the season, he is at the mercy of Pearsall and Jauan Jennings.