Brandon Aiyuk or Terry McLaurin: Who is a better fantasy pick?

Philadelphia Eagles v San Francisco 49ers
Philadelphia Eagles v San Francisco 49ers

Brandon Aiyuk and Terry McLaurin are American wide receivers that play for the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders, respectively, in the National Football League. These two are some of the fastest and most wideouts in the NFL.

The San Francisco 49ers' No. 2 wide receiver is Brandon Aiyuk, an Arizona State University alum that was drafted by the team as the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Aiyuk has totaled 1,976 yards and 15 touchdowns since coming into the NFL.

On the other hand, Terry McLaurin is the Commanders' No. 2 wide receiver, a player with a slightly different skillset from Aiyuk. McLaurin is a former Ohio State standout drafted by the Commanders as the 76th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Throughout his career, he has totaled 3,530 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.

Verdict: Brandon Aiyuk is our pick for Week 8 and the rest of the season, barring unforeseen events. Aiyuk might not be the No. 1 wide receiver on his side, but he is undoubtedly contributing more to winning than McLaurin, who seems to be a big fish in a small pond.

Why Brandon Aiyuk is a better fantasy pick than Terry McLaurin

Aiyuk is a member of one of the best offenses in the entire league, and his side is one of the best bets to reach the Super Bowl at the end of the season. He might not be the No. 1 (or possibly No. 2) scoring option on the side, but he sure knows how to hit the end zone when it's all said and done.

On the other hand, Terry McLaurin is the second wide receiver on one of the league's worst sides, a team that always seems to have one front office issue or the other, and a team that appears to be allergic to the playoffs. Terry McLaurin is a solid player, but there's only so much he can do while being a member of the Commanders.

How did Brandon Aiyuk and Terry McLaurin perform last season?

Aiyuk and Terry McLaurin had similarly decent 2021 NFL seasons, as the wide receivers were the second options in their franchises.

Aiyuk spent last season with the team that drafted him, the San Francisco 49ers, and he contributed to the team's deep playoff run. He turned in a stat line of 826 receiving yards and five touchdowns in seventeen games.

Terry McLaurin spent last season as wide receiver two on the Washington Commanders. He totaled a stat line of 1,053 receiving yards and five touchdowns in seventeen games.

How have Brandon Aiyuk and Terry McLaurin performed this season?

Brandon Aiyuk and Terry McLaurin have been among the better wide receivers in the league so far this season, with both of them scoring multiple touchdowns.

Aiyuk's stat line of 402 receiving yards and three touchdowns in seven games. The former first-rounder is a significant contributor to his team's offensive snaps.

On the other hand, Terry McLaurin has shown out when given the opportunity in Washington, with the former third-rounder totaling a stat sheet of 440 receiving yards and two touchdowns in seven games.