Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 10 players who have a lot to prove in 2019

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 30: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 30: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 8: Wide Receiver Marquise Goodwin

It’s been a tale of two seasons for veteran wide receiver Marquise Goodwin with the 49ers.

In 2017, Goodwin set a career high with 962 receiving yards and proved to be much more than just a speedy, downfield threat. The following year, however, Goodwin was hampered by both injury and personal family tragedy, which limited him to only 395 yards and a diminishing role within San Francisco’s offense.

Kyle Shanahan has indicated he would like to use Goodwin situationally, thereby preventing further exposure to injuries and essentially keeping Goodwin fresh over the course of a 16-game season.

But that also means Goodwin will have to take increased advantage of those would-be lesser opportunities and snaps.

The 49ers restocked their anemic wide receiver corps from a year ago by selecting wideouts Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd in the 2019 NFL Draft, as well as signing veteran pass catcher Jordan Matthews in free agency.

Samuel and Hurd are as good as safe on the Niners’ 53-man roster, while second-year pro Dante Pettis looks to continue what was an impressive finish to his rookie season.

With only so many roster spots available on this position, Goodwin will need to revert back closer to his 2017 form to have a significant role this year.