49ers film room: Breaking down Kyle Shanahan’s best red-zone weapons

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Carlos Hyde
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Carlos Hyde
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49ers Trent Taylor
STARKVILLE MS – OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Trent Taylor #5 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs catches a pass over defensive back Brandon Bryant #20 and defensive back Kivon Coman #11 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Davis Wade Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)

9. Trent Taylor

Rookie wide receiver Trent Taylor was no stranger to the end zone in college — he scored 12 touchdowns in 14 games last year.

At 5 feet 8 inches tall, you’d assume Taylor wouldn’t be a red zone threat, but shorter receivers thrive in Shanahan’s offense — just ask 5-foot-10 wide receiver Justin Hardy, who had as many targets inside the 10-yard line as Jones in 2016.

Taylor doesn’t have the best straight-line speed, but his short-area quickness makes him perfect for the shovel pass Shanahan calls near the goal line:

Taylor is an accomplished route runner, which is a trait Shanahan prefers over height. Here, Shanahan shows that if you can execute, you don’t need to be 6-foot-4 to work the middle of the end zone:

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