Who Should I Start? Tyler Lockett or Brandon Aiyuk

Friday, March 7, 1:35 PM

The Seattle Seahawks aren't closing the door on a potential reunion with veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who they released for salary cap saving purposes this week. "Go out and see what's shaking (on the market), and we'll stay in touch," general manager John Schneider said he told Lockett. However, Schneider expects Lockett to draw significant interest on the free-agent market because he's a leader and "still a productive player." Seattle could be more inclined to re-sign Lockett if they end up trading DK Metcalf before the NFL draft in April. The 32-year-old Lockett was the odd-man out in the passing attack in 2024 behind Metcalf and second-year man Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was the team's leading receiver. Lockett had just 49 catches for 600 yards and two TDs on 72 targets, but it's not impossible that he could bounce back in 2025 in a better situation.

Thursday, March 6, 9:20 PM

The Athletic's David Lombardi said on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that he doesn't "think it's likely that the San Francisco 49ers are gonna trade Brandon Aiyuk." However, he also said "it's something that they're not saying a firm no to, though." The new contract that Aiyuk signed before last season wouldn't necessarily be a deterrent to a trade as much as the fact that he tore his ACL and MCL last season. If a team wanted to trade for the 26-year-old former first-rounder, they'd be inheriting him at four years and $110 million. Aiyuk also has a $20 million guarantee that kicks in on April 1, so it gives San Fran a little extra time to try and find a trade partner, despite just recently dealing Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Commanders. Before Aiyuk's injury, he didn't look good with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. Depending on his recovery from his major knee injury, Aiyuk could be a rebound candidate in fantasy if he stays with the Niners now that Samuel is out of town.