Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Predicting 2019 wide receiver depth chart

By Matt Stephenson

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a first down against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a first down against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Trent Taylor

For Trent Taylor, 2019 really is a make-or-break year for the young receiver. Drafted in 2017, he impressed his rookie year and essentially became head coach Kyle Shanahan’s go-to-man on third down. With his great hands and explosiveness in the slot, he was hard to stop.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Linking up with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo further increased his production, with Taylor looking set for big things. However, hampered by a continuing back injury which he had surgery on prior to the start of the 2018 season, Taylor fell off drastically with a big drop in snaps and therefore yardage.

His rookie year saw Taylor with 43 receptions for 430 yards, averaging 10 yards per reception and two touchdowns, with a reasonable 71.7 catch percentage to go along with it. He had 30 punt returns for 281 yards, averaging 9.4 yards per return.

Compare that to 2018, where Taylor recorded just 26 receptions for 215 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per reception with one touchdown. His catch percentage also saw a decrease to 63.4 percent. He was sparingly used in the returning role, with just 10 returns for 78 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per reception.

With Taylor’s stock unfortunately dropping, this needs to be the year he bounces back if he wants to retain a position on the 49ers’ roster long-term.