Deebo is a lot harder to replace than you think. He's as important to the offense as CMC is. Deebo has proven he can be a #1 receiver and thr best running back. But in order for him to be the weapon we need him to be we have to have a good number 2 receiver or in our case a 1A or 1B which Aiyuk is.
I don't disagree. But I think for the sake of Purdy's development, Aiyuk is less replaceable than Deebo, almost solely because of the state of the Oline. Deebo's plays are going to be defended with additional box players whether he's running or out on a route. The only way to combat that is to push the ball. Kittle can't be Kittle with the line like it is and liable to get worse if Trent finishes up after this year, which means less seams from him. So the only one that seems able to push the safeties back and work the middle of the field fast enough to pop open before the line fails the QB is Aiyuk. Gray ain't playing, Bell's skillset is better served as a slot/Deebo replacement, Jennings is a WR3 on every playoff-bound team at best and the team is in trouble if he's ever your #2... I just don't see an easy solution to needing to pay both.
But I think the team does better with Aiyuk-Bell than they do Samuel-Jennings, and I don't think it's close.
Mostly because the plays that were most dynamic for Deebo that would get him going in a game and force a team to account for him... just aren't happening. Be it because they are being run for CMC instead and his increased production comes at the cost of Deebo's, or because he's been hurt and out of games.
I could rock with the team going 2nd round on WR if they go and get a route runner with 4:4~ speed and great shuttle times. But even if they did, Kyle wouldn't play him for two years over some 'need to humble him and make sure he can block' shyt.
And I think another thing that isn't being looked at is, I don't think #44 is long for the league. And then the team either needs to try that 7th round TE they got as a half-back swiss army knife Delanie Walker type - which I'm all for - or, we're going to need to get comfortable fast with a run game that doesn't have a lead blocker. Which means even less route-running from Kittle. Which makes the issues that much worse.
I just don't see anyone else on the team able to develop into that 15-30 yard reception range type of player. But I see a whole embarrassment of riches on the 5-yard-slant/drag route/jet sweep side. And there's only one ball.
Perfect world, I'd love to see Mitchell and McCloud gone, Dwelley knocked down and see if we can get some production our of either TE drafted. Get a quality #2 back and make the primary formation Deebo, CMC, Aiyuk, Kittle, Willis. Kick Willis in to FB for lead runs - which can be done by 19 or 23. Split CMC out wide and you have 3 WR sets with both TEs blocking/chip-to-flat. Spell 19 or 23 with a RB and still have the same functionality for the most part.
Bell is #3 WR, but really ends up playing more like a WR5/ST guy since your 3-WR sets are almost always 11-19-23 and if you're ever in proper spread 4-WO formations that 4th is Kittle most times.
I just question what the team is getting out of Latu. Nothing now, but... will they get anything later, either?