49ers 90-in-90: WR Trent Taylor

San Francisco 49ers drafted wide receiver Trent Taylor in the fifth-round of the 2017 NFL Draft and finished his rookie campaign with 43 receptions for 430 yards and two touchdowns. For a fifth-rounder, that’s as good of a rookie year as you can ask. Taylor saw 19 fewer targets in 2018 and and 170 or so fewer snaps in 2018. Taylor finished his sophomore season with 26 receptions for 215 receptions.

Taylor’s back flare up during offseason workouts in the spring of 2018 which resulted in him undergoing a procedure before the start of training camp. That same injury slowed Taylor in training camp, and that carried into the regular season. That wouldn’t be the worst injury Taylor suffered.

Taylor had surgery on his foot during the preseason of 2019 that was supposed to keep him out for a game or two. Taylor ended up landing on the injured reserve, and after a couple of setbacks, the 49ers decided Taylor wasn’t going to return around midseason. Taylor would wind up having five total foot surgeries, which was unfortunate after Taylor had an outstanding training camp. He wasn’t only Jimmy Garoppolo’s go-to wideout, but Taylor looked like a player that was going to catch 70-80 passes.

Basic Info

Age: 26 (birthday is April 30)

Experience: Three accrued seasons

Height: 5’8”

Weight: 180 lbs.

Cap Status

Taylor is in the final year of his contract. His base salary in 2020 will be $750,000. Taylor’s cap number will be $800,487. If Taylor doesn’t make the roster this season, the 49ers will save his base salary and have $50,487 in dead money.

What to expect in 2020

Taylor will be competing with Kendrick Bourne, Jalen Hurd, and Dante Pettis for WR3 reps and slot snaps. Taylor has the leg up on the former as he and Garoppolo have been on the same page on the field. Taylor should help the 49ers convert on third and medium situations as he is one of those receivers that always finds a way to uncover underneath.

If healthy, I’d expect Taylor to rack up a lot of catches that put the 49ers offense in plus situations like 2nd & 4 as opposed to 2nd & 7. A few yards here and there may not seem like much, but it will allow Kyle Shanahan to be more aggressive as a play-caller. Taylor may not be flashy, but he’s a receiver the 49ers can rely on.

Odds on making the roster

It comes down to health. If Trent is healthy, he’s not only on the roster but it will be difficult for him to come off the field. My question is, if there are setbacks or any kind of injury, does San Francisco part ways or will the team be patient with Taylor in his final season? The talent at receiver today is worlds better than last year.

I’d imagine Taylor will be on the roster either way. Seeing how the receiver snaps unfold will be one of the biggest storylines this season.