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49ers vs. Vikings: 5 bold Week 1 predictions for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: The defense for the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the offense of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter on September 23, 2012 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-13. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: The defense for the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the offense of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter on September 23, 2012 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-13. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks for a 30 yard first down run after a catch in fron of Cre’von LeBlanc #22 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The 49ers defeated the Bears 15-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks for a 30 yard first down run after a catch in fron of Cre’von LeBlanc #22 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The 49ers defeated the Bears 15-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Trent Taylor Leads All 49ers Receivers in Yardage

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s favorite target in training camp and into the preseason was speedy wide receiver Marquise Goodwin.

But Garoppolo also picked up his 2017 rapport with Trent Taylor, the Niners slot receiver who excelled on third down last season. And it will be Taylor, not Goodwin, who winds up leading all 49ers receivers in yards during Week 1.

There’s a good reason for this. The Vikings boast one of the best secondaries in the NFL, including boundary cornerbacks Trae Waynes and two-time Pro Bowler, Xavier Rhodes.

Rhodes is dealing with a hamstring injury, which could make things interesting. But if he’s available, look for him to lock down Goodwin as much as possible.

Kyle Shanahan’s offense, however, is built around finding and exploiting matchups. And as Niner Noise pointed out earlier this week, one of those will be putting Taylor up against Minnesota’s starting nickel corner, Mackensie Alexander.

Alexander (ankle) is also listed as questionable. Assuming he’s ready to go, though, it’s still a matchup the Niners can exploit. Alexander’s pass-coverage grade in 2017 was 54.7, according to Pro Football Focus, which is assuredly in favor of Taylor.

This isn’t to say Taylor will wind up with 100-plus yards, or anything like that. It’s likely the highest yardage any San Francisco receiving target winds up with is no more than 60 yards, or so.

Let that receiver be Taylor in Week 1.