San Francisco 49ers: 5 options for No. 3 wide receiver in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Trent Taylor
One of the fun aspects to watch late in the 2017 season was the budding chemistry between then-rookie wideout Trent Taylor and then-newly acquired quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Taylor was a third-down machine that year, hauling in 19 catches for a first down on this crucial down-and-distance spot. That was tied for ninth best among all pass catchers that season and also tied for best among rookies.
Not bad at all.
Meanwhile, Garoppolo’s third-down prowess last year was excellent, posting a 101.9 passer rating on third downs.
All told, watching how these two players jell together again in 2020 should be something worth monitoring.
But there’s a caveat.
Taylor has been injured the better part of the last two seasons. In 2018, a back injury severely hindered his impact. Then in 2019, Taylor suffered a Jones fracture in his foot, which landed him on season-ending injured reserve and resulted in multiple surgeries. He only recently was allowed to resume workouts again.
It’s anyone’s guess how much this hinders his return to the field. But if Taylor is healthy, there might be no way the 49ers keep him off the field.