Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Grading the 2017 NFL Draft class after one full year

By Peter Panacy

Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a catch at the seven yard line of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a catch at the seven yard line of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

A. . Wide Receiver. Louisiana Tech. TRENT TAYLOR

If George Kittle wasn’t enough of a weapon for you, rookie wide receiver Trent Taylor should be.

Taylor, who led college football in receiving yards in 2016 (1,803), continued his pass-catching ways with the 49ers his rookie season. In total, Taylor posted 43 catches and 430 yards — third and fourth, respectively — along with two touchdowns.

And while Taylor was a notable contributor out of the slot all season, some of his biggest games came after Jimmy Garoppolo took over starting duties in Week 13.

Especially on third down, as our friends Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus and Rob Lowder over at Niners Wire pointed out:

San Francisco has a clear third-down weapon in Taylor. And while his smallish 5-foot-8 frame seems concerning, Taylor has already shown the knack to get open and make big plays.