49ers player stock watch after first weekend of 2019 training camp

Stock Up: WR Trent Taylor

After an injury-riddled 2018 season, wide receiver Trent Taylor — Garoppolo’s third-down security blanket — is back. Taylor looked like his pre-surgery self over the weekend, with the short-area quickness he demonstrated as a rookie in 2017. Taylor also added a new top gear we have yet to see as the third-year receiver took this pass the distance for a score:

Stock Up: WR Jordan Matthews

Matthews made an immediate impression on Saturday, as he hauled in a deep catch, and was targeted by Garoppolo on a number of receptions. If the big-bodied receiver continues to shine, particularly in the red zone where the 49ers have struggled under head coach Kyle Shanahan, Matthews has a good chance of making San Francisco’s final 53-man roster.

Jury is Out: WR Jalen Hurd

Rookie RB-turned-WR Jalen Hurd was the talk of Sunday’s practice, but not for his play as a wide receiver. Hurd was in the center of a pair of training camp fights — one with defensive back Dontae Johnson, and another with safety Antone Exum — after the defenders took issue with the wideout’s physical blocking style.

Shanahan addressed the two fights during his post-practice press conference but delayed placing full blame on the wide receiver until he had an opportunity to review the tape of the two incidents. The 49ers’ coach was smart to collect all the evidence before passing judgment on Hurd, as he told reporters he was “proud” of the receiver after reviewing the video:

Physical blocking is great, but Hurd needs to focus on making plays in the passing game if he expects to see the field for the San Francisco 49ers this season.

Stock Up: P Mitch Wishnowsky

As expected, rookie punter Mitch Wishnowsky‘s stock is up. Way up.