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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 3 key offensive players’ stats for 2018

By Bobby Horne

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/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 Pierre Garçon

Stat prediction: 86 receptions, 1,126 yards and eight touchdowns

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Pierre Garçon was on pace for a 1,000-yard season in 2017 before having it cut short due to injury. He also never played a single snap with Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Garoppolo-to-Garçon connection has the potential to be a dynamic pairing. Garçon has some of the best hands in the entire NFL, coming in with the third best drop rate, according to Pro Football Focus:

With hands as safe as Garçon’s, as long as Garoppolo keeps targeting him he will rack up the numbers. A healthy Garçon should also help the Niners red-zone scoring, which is why he will see a much-needed boost in the touchdown department, as he has still yet to score as a 49er.

In 2018, Garçon will return to form and be one of the more productive wide receivers and a solid target for Garoppolo to get the offense going.