Jimmy Garoppolo: Predicting 49ers QB’s 5 favorite targets in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 4 49ers Target for Jimmy Garoppolo: Kendrick Bourne
From a purely statistical vantage point, which this is all about, it might be weird to think of fourth-year wide receiver Kendrick Bourne being one of Jimmy Garoppolo’s main targets. Bourne’s 358 receiving yards last season ranked third for Niners wideouts and fourth highest for all players, and even that number isn’t strikingly high for a third- or fourth-tier option.
Yet the absence of Deebo Samuel early in the season could open up the door for Bourne to see an increased role. Even if Samuel was ready, Brandon Aiyuk probably wasn’t going to be slated for starting duties early in the season, giving a veteran like Bourne an increased look for at least the first few weeks.
There is one area, however, in which Bourne has thrived for San Francisco since being selected as an undrafted free agent back in 2017: the red zone.
All nine of Bourne’s touchdowns have come within this area, showcasing his value as a go-to target in a spot where the 49ers have historically struggled under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Interestingly enough, though, Bourne has been targeted the most between the Niners’ 21- and 50-yard lines, suggesting Garoppolo won’t just look to Bourne as a red-zone target.
Instead, Bourne will get plenty of looks when San Francisco is beginning its offensive drives.