Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Starting lineup predictions as training camp starts

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Mike Person #78, Kenny Wiggins #65 and Anthony Davis #76 of the San Francisco 49ers participate in drills during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Mike Person #78, Kenny Wiggins #65 and Anthony Davis #76 of the San Francisco 49ers participate in drills during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 04: Pierre Garcon #88 of the Washington Redskins catches a pass before the start of an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 04: Pierre Garcon #88 of the Washington Redskins catches a pass before the start of an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver

No. 1 Receiver: Pierre Garcon

No. 2 Receiver: Marquise Goodwin

Slot Receiver: Jeremy Kerley

As is the case with a number of positions, the wide receiver group looks almost entirely different than it was a year ago at this time.

And that’s a very good thing, considering the 49ers passing offense ranked dead last in the league last year.

Veteran free-agent pickup Pierre Garcon is the assumed starter here, and that’s fine. He amassed 1,041 yards on 79 receptions with three touchdowns in 2016. While those numbers likely take a hit this season, Garcon’s familiarity with Kyle Shanahan’s offense should help a lot.

Add to that a speedster like Marquise Goodwin, and the Niners receiving corps looks to be in pretty good shape. Not great, but a notable improvement over last year.

One of the key competitions to watch during training camp will be the slot duties between Jeremy Kerley — San Francisco’s leading receiver a year ago — and rookie pickup Trent Taylor.

Taylor isn’t likely going to take over for Kerley right away. But the former does have plenty of promise and will see a good deal of chances during camp and the preseason.