Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Jack Bech

Wednesday, February 25, 5:14 AM

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine that "nothing will happen until the new league year" when discussing parting ways with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. We already know that Aiyuk won't be playing for the Niners in 2026, but he won't be officially released until the start of the new league year next month. The 27-year-old former first-rounder signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the team in August of 2024 and then played in only seven games that year, catching 25 of 47 targets for 374 yards and no touchdowns. Aiyuk didn't play at all in 2025 due to his knee injury and wasn't going to return to the Bay Area after the team voided guarantees in his contract. He'll certainly attract attention on the open market, but fantasy managers will be wary after all the missed time.

Friday, February 13, 3:38 PM

A second-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech was viewed as a potential breakout candidate heading into his rookie season. However, the 23-year-old struggled in his first NFL campaign, hauling in just 20 receptions for 224 yards and zero touchdowns on 29 targets across 16 games played. On the bright side, Bech was more productive down the stretch of the season, after Las Vegas traded away veteran wideout Jakobi Meyers at the trade deadline. Across his last five games of 2025, Bech recorded 12 catches for 132 yards on 17 targets. Outside of star tight end Brock Bowers and any possible 2026 draft day additions, no dominant pass-catchers are standing in the way of Bech earning more playing time and targets. The Raiders may also have a talent infusion under center, as Las Vegas is widely expected to take Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. Still, Bech did little as a rookie to establish himself as an up-and-coming star, and his fantasy stock in dynasty leagues is trending downward after his underwhelming rookie season.