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49ers player profile: Wide receiver Trent Taylor can break out in 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a five-yard touchdown catch against 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 celebrates after a five-yard touchdown catch against 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) /
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Taking an early look at 2018, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has a serious shot to break out as a top receiving target for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this season.

The San Francisco 49ers may choose to add components to their wide receiver corps this offseason, but they don’t have to worry about adding a slot target, as Trent Taylor has all but solidified his role there heading into 2018.

Taylor, who led all of college football with 1,803 receiving yards in 2016, was easily one of general manager John Lynch’s NFL Draft steals last year. The fifth-round selection had only 430 receiving yards and two touchdowns his rookie campaign.

But consider this: nearly half (191) of those yards came between Weeks 11 and 16 after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo took over under center.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

At 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds, Taylor’s abilities are best showcased out of the slot. And slot receivers have become an ever-important part of NFL offenses, as the focus has shifted from traditional 21-personnel (two receivers, a tight end, two running backs) to three-wide formations.

So it makes sense Taylor saw 493 snaps last season — second only to outside receiver Marquise Goodwin (770) among Niners receivers.

Taylor’s 72.7 slot performance ranked 13th among all slot receivers in 2017, per Pro Football Focus, which isn’t particularly bad for a rookie.

And we can expect even bigger things from the Louisiana Tech product this season.

Why Trent Taylor Breaks Out for the 49ers in 2018

You can make the comparison between Taylor and the New England Patriots’ Julian Edelman if you want. Others have.

But Edelman needed five years at the NFL level before being a major factor. Taylor is poised to do so in year two of his pro campaign. And there are a few specific reasons why it will happen in 2018 instead of later.

For starters, Taylor’s third-down abilities were pretty noteworthy. His 18 first-down catches on third down led San Francisco and were tied for ninth best in the NFL last year. Interestingly enough, Garoppolo’s passer rating on third down last season was 100.7 — the best on any particular down.

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Not sure if that says more about Taylor or Garoppolo, but it’s safe to say the third-down rapport between the two is there.

Additionally, Garoppolo showcased his abilities to make key throws over the middle — some of these passes will illustrate how — which is where a slot receiver like Taylor makes his biggest impact.

Both will have had a full offseason’s worth of work in head coach Kyle Shanahan, meaning a better understanding of his complex offense predicated on getting guys open.

Next: 5 49ers poised for a breakout season in 2018

And if all goes well, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Taylor double his rookie stats from 2017 this season.