San Francisco 49ers: Marquise Goodwin’s extension likely puts a damper on Allen Robinson acquisition
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers inked wide receiver Marquise Goodwin to a three-year extension. Does this mean targeting fellow wideout Allen Robinson in NFL free agency is out of the picture now?
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is going to be sticking around with the San Francisco 49ers a little longer, after signing a three-year extension lasting through 2021.
News of the deal was first reported by ESPN’s Josina Anderson and later confirmed by the Niners website.
Goodwin, who enjoyed a career year in 2017, will command as much as $20.3 million over his new deal — a good amount for a receiver, who never had more than 500 yards before last season.
San Francisco 49ers
Yet the extension could have some other consequences. The specific breakdowns of the contract aren’t known just yet, but an annual average salary of just over $6 million likely means the Niners are withdrawing themselves from considering soon-to-be free-agent wide receiver Allen Robinson.
The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t apply the franchise tag to Robinson, and he’ll hit the open market as a prime target. Even after missing all but one game in 2017 with an ACL injury.
San Francisco still has roughly $70 million in salary cap space this season, depending whether or not Goodwin’s 2018 cap hit (currently at $2.75 million) has been adjusted with the new deal. So it isn’t as if money is a question mark.
Still, there’s likely to be a hefty bidding war for Robinson’s services this offseason. A guess would have the 49ers inquiring. But they won’t be pressed to pursue him hard now.
Altering the 49ers’ On-Field Roster
Putting money aside for a moment, there’s another reason why Robinson to San Francisco looks less a likelihood.
Goodwin transformed from being a mere deep threat to a solid route-runner in 2017, flourishing in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system. Even with two-thirds of the year operating under sub-par quarterback play, Goodwin nearly became the team’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Anquan Boldin back in 2014.
With presumed No. 1 wideout Pierre Garçon returning from a neck injury, and second-year pro Trent Taylor locking up slot duties, bringing Robinson aboard would notably alter the receiving depth chart.
Moving Goodwin to the slot doesn’t make much sense, and his new deal is far too high for him to be moved to fourth-receiver duties.
It’s an argument backed up by former KNBR 680 insider Kevin Jones:
The 49ers aren't going to pay Marquise Goodwin $6.5 million a year and move him to slot WR, something Trent Taylor already plays really well, for really cheap. Pierre is the 1, Marquise is the 2. Allen Robinson would pull Marquise off the field in Kyle's play-action scheme
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) March 8, 2018
It makes sense.
Robinson would be a luxury, no doubt. But he’d also likely eat up a sizable amount of cap space the Niners have left. Considering other pressing needs, particularly at cornerback, it’s a wise move to continue developing what’s already on the roster.
Additionally, if the 49ers are looking for a long-term replacement for Garçon, the NFL Draft is a worthy option.
Next: 49ers' 2018 salary cap situation ahead of free agency
Robinson to San Francisco remains a possibility. It’s just more remote now, and fans should still be confident with the receiving corps the Niners have moving forward.