No. 5: Wide Receiver Trent Taylor vs. Cornerback Kendall Fuller
In 2017, Jimmy Garoppolo was one of the best quarterbacks on third down. Two weeks into the 2018 season, he’s the worst.
San Francisco 49ers
A huge reason why Garoppolo found so much success on third downs in 2017 was his chemistry with slot receiver Trent Taylor. He was such a consistent producer on third down ,that I had seen a nickname for him floating around on social media calling him “Third and Trent.”
Coming into Week 3, Taylor only has four catches for 28 yards. Now, a receiver does not suddenly become ineffective, especially in his sophomore year. I have a feeling that the back surgery that he had in the offseason is still hampering him and causing him to be a much less dominant receiver on the field.
Garoppolo needs Taylor to step it up this week in order to succeed on converting third downs. However, Taylor has an imposing matchup in nickel cornerback Kendall Fuller, who was named one of the top eight slot cornerbacks of 2018 by Pro Football Focus.
If Taylor can get open against Fuller, then Garoppolo should have a much easier time against this No. 32-ranked Kansas City defense.