Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who need to improve in second half of 2018

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts drops a pass while defended by Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts drops a pass while defended by Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 07: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 07: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Wide Receiver Trent Taylor

A year after breaking into the NFL with a promising stat line of 43 catches for 430 yards and two touchdowns, slot wide receiver Trent Taylor has been little more than a non-factor for the 49ers in 2018.

True, Taylor has been hindered by a back injury, surgery and recovery that has carried into the season. But production matters, and there hasn’t exactly been a lot of that from the 2016 leading collegiate receiver.

Over seven games played, Taylor has just 18 receptions and 138 yards — numbers that are likely going to fall well short of what he reached his rookie year.

Taylor was also a healthy scratch for San Francisco in Week 9, finding himself benched in favor of the rookie, Richie James, who amassed 60 catches on two receptions in the victory. James’ outstanding training camp and preseason also place him at the forefront of the Niners coaching staff, which doesn’t bode well for Taylor’s long-term prognosis.

It’s starting to look like Taylor is little more than a one-year wonder, who had some nice breakout moments in 2017 but hasn’t seen those efforts translate over to this season.

And if it doesn’t change, James might be the player San Francisco hinges its slot hopes on. Not Taylor.