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Trent Taylor: Why 49ers’ rookie WR has had the best start to 2017

By Robert Smith

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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With an 0-3 record and a close loss at home to a division rival in the L.A. Rams, the San Francisco 49ers season has gotten off to a rough start. But rookie wide receiver Trent Taylor has been a bright spot for the Niners so far in 2017.

In a season seen as a rebuilding project for the San Francisco 49ers, the hope is some of the young players for the team will show growth and improvement over the course of the season.

And while the injury to linebacker Reuben Foster may have altered my choice for the 49ers’ best rookie so far, another rookie has left a definite impression.

Trent Taylor, the rookie wide receiver out of Louisiana Tech, has shown flashes of what head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. hopes is just the “tip of the iceberg” for the former Bulldog.

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Through the first three games of 2017, Taylor has already made noise as a punt returner. He is currently seventh in the NFL in punt returns, with five of them for 58 yards.

And while his receiving totals (six catches for 46 yards and a touchdown) may not seem overwhelming, his speed and ability to get open are very noticeable.

If not for an extremely questionable offensive pass-interference call on Taylor in the fourth quarter Thursday against the Rams, the Niners would have had a first down and an opportunity for a game-winning field goal at home.

The 49ers offense had been, well, offensive through the first two games. But with the defense struggling against the Rams offense, quarterback Brian Hoyer had some good moments against his opposing defense.

Hoyer was 21-of-35 for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw an interception, though, on the first play from scrimmage.

Taylor’s three catches came on four targets, and he seems to posess an ability to find space and get open regularly against opposing defenses.

Taylor has displayed precise route-running and is not afraid to work in the middle of the field, which is impressive given his slight stature (5-foot-9, 174 pounds).

If the 49ers offensive line can keep pressure off of Hoyer, and with fellow wideout Pierre Garcon playing as well as he has thus far, I believe Taylor can continue to grow in this offense.

The Niners offense finally showed signs of life, and  while Hoyer has struggled with accuracy, Shanahan continues to draw up plays that get receivers open.

While Taylor is just a rookie and needs to continue to develop, the future seems bright.

And in a season that seems destined to be a “developmental year,” the team’s draft class and undrafted free agents seem to be on track for having even more impact later in the year and, hopefully, even more so in upcoming seasons.

Next: The stats behing QB Brian Hoyer's Week 3 breakout

With a team that may only win four or five games, hope may be what 49er fans cling to in 2017.