San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin proved that he could be more than the one-trick pony that many viewed him as during his time with the Buffalo Bills. He flourished within Kyle Shanahan's offense – even more so with Jimmy Garoppolo throwing him passes.
If not for a concussion suffered during the 49ers' Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Goodwin might have eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving for the first time during his five-year NFL career. Instead, he finished the season with 56 receptions for 962 yards with two trips into the end zone.
Goodwin is entering the final year of the two-year contract he signed with the 49ers at the start of free agency last year. He's become a fan favorite and is a candidate for a potential contract extension.
When Pierre Garçon's season ended early due to a neck injury suffered during a Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Goodwin stepped up as the 49ers' new number one receiver. He averaged over 106 yards per game in Garoppolo's first three starts for the 49ers.
Goodwin's speed, which is among the fastest in the NFL, allows him the stretch opposing defenses. What is interesting is just how reliable he was while trying to haul in deep passes. According to Pro Football Focus, Goodwin led all wide receivers in passer rating when targeted on throws of 40-or-more yards. His quarterbacks combined for a phenomenal passer rating of 120.8 when targeting him at that distance.
The next closest wide receiver under the same scenario was Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons, who provided his quarterback a passer rating of 96.8 while trying to haul in the football that deep.
Marquise Goodwin led all WRs in passer rating when targeted on throws 40+ yards downfield 👀 pic.twitter.com/IZ7n4YKfwD
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) February 24, 2018
Goodwin carries a 2018 cap number of just $2.75 million, according to OverTheCap.com. The 49ers are expected to try to improve at the wide receiver position via free agency or the draft to give Garoppolo even more weapons on offense.