Golden Nuggets: Brandon Aiyuk getting in work with Jimmy Garoppolo

It is going to be a strange offseason in the NFL. With the pandemic wreaking havoc across the country, teams are unable to follow their typical schedules as they prepare for the 2020 NFL season.

Rookies are the most impacted group of players. Instead of attending rookie camps and OTAs, the 2019 class has been getting pointers virtually.

San Francisco 49ers’ first-round pick Brandon Aiyuk spoke with The SF Chronicle’s Eric Branch about the adjustment:

“I think it’s a good thing. It forces you to fully break everything down, totally understand it, before going on the field. There is some good and bad. But you have to make the best of the situation we were dealt. Just continue to work through it.”

Aiyuk was staying in his hometown of Reno while rehabbing from core-muscle surgery, but was given clearance in early April.

The 22-year-old was finally able to get his first workout in with Jimmy Garoppolo, joining the Niners’ quarterback, and other teammates for a workout at San Jose State University.

“It was like, ‘I’m on the field right now catching passes from Jimmy G,” Aiyuk told Branch. “That’s when it kind of hit me.”

The receiver added that he plans on traveling to the Bay Area as much as he can between now and training camp, which is scheduled to start late next month.

San Francisco moved up to the No. 25 spot to take Aiyuk. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have big plans for the rookie, who they’re hoping will be able to be a YAC monster in 2020.

Where do you think Aiyuk will be on the wide receivers depth chart going into Week 1 of the season?

On to some more links:

Which players are the most critical to the Niners’ success? NBC Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco gives his list of five 49ers who have to be better in 2020 for the team to win the Super Bowl.

Richard Sherman is one of the best corners of all-time. Some have blamed him for giving up a big play in last year’s Super Bowl, but Uncle Sherm said he’s already forgotten about the 35-yard gain. (h/t The Sac Bee’s Chris Biderman)

NFL training camps are scheduled to begin in late July, but with the pandemic those plans are certainly subject to change. Maiocco says Sherman and the NFLPA understand that the situation is ver fluid.

Tight end George Kittle is the best player on the 49ers, and expects to be paid handsomely for his efforts. Fansided’s Peter Panacy looks at why San Francisco could potentially trade Kittle in 2021.

Garoppolo is known for his football skills, but apparently he wasn’t bad at another sport in high school. NBC Bay Area’s Marcus White did a piece centered on an Instagram post that shows Jimmy G playing basketball in his younger days.

What do Seahawks writers think about the 49ers going into 2020? SI’s Corbin Smith breaks down the Niners from a Seahawks perspective.