Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting lineup for 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Pierre Garcon #15 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Pierre Garcon #15 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver

Right Wide Receiver: Pierre Garçon

Left Wide Receiver: Marquise Goodwin

Slot: Trent Taylor

Sure, a big-name wide receiver might be on the 49ers’ list of offseason priorities. But it’s equally plausible one isn’t.

At least according to a report by 49ers.com’s Joe Fann.

Keep this in mind — Kyle Shanahan turned a previously seldom-used Marquise Goodwin into nearly a 1,000-yard receiver last season. Goodwin would have likely reached that mark had it not been for a concussion in Week 17 last year. Rather than being just a speedster, Goodwin’s route-running took shape in 2017. We should expect even more this year.

Similarly, veteran wideout Pierre Garçon was on pace to reach 1,000 receiving yards before suffering a season-ending neck injury exactly halfway through the year.

In the case with Garçon, partially with Goodwin, these numbers came before Jimmy Garoppolo took over under center.

With Trent Taylor a valuable third-down weapon out of the slot, there might not be as big a reason to make upgrades here as one could think.

If there aren’t any substantial changes, we should be OK with that.