San Francisco 49ers: Early 2018 stat predictions for top offensive players

1. Trent Taylor

General manager John Lynch took more than a few steals in the middle to late rounds of last year’s draft, and one of those was Trent Taylor, who’s quickly establishing himself as the 49ers slot receiver and third-down specialist.

The stats are pretty good for Taylor, 63 percent of his 43 receptions came on third down, according to Pro Football Focus. Averaging 10 yards per catch and two touchdowns, he should improve with another year in the offense and become Jimmy Garoppolo’s version of former slot star, Wes Welker.

However, while season stats are good, it’s also important to see what Taylor’s stats are after Garoppolo took over the starting role, and it still makes for good reading.

With Garoppolo starting, Taylor recorded the following in the five games: 17 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown.

With some experience in him and Garoppolo learning more of the playbook, I think Taylor has a good season in him considering the chemistry between him and Garoppolo.

Season Prediction: 55 catches for 600 yards and three touchdowns