Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers’ winners & losers from Week 8 win versus Raiders

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 23: Kendall Fuller #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers after a reception during the second quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 23: Kendall Fuller #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers after a reception during the second quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Loser: Wide Receiver Trent Taylor

Richie James’ success came at the expense of Trent Taylor, who was a healthy scratch for the contest.

True, a back injury has likely influenced Taylor’s massive drop off in production since his promising rookie year. But that doesn’t change the fact Taylor has just 18 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown — a far cry in the splits from his 43-catch, 430-yard effort in 2017.

Taylor was a third-down weapon for San Francisco his rookie season. But that prowess hasn’t carried over to 2018, and the Niners still rank 24th in third-down conversion percentage.

And Taylor’s relative absence from the stat sheet has been a major reason why.

James’ recent ascent doesn’t spell good news for Taylor, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see the rookie take away a number of snaps from Taylor over the rest of the season.

At least it prompts an intriguing 2019 camp competition, should it come to that.