Before joining the San Francisco 49ers last offseason, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin had never surpassed 431 yards receiving in a season. He was seen as a fast vertical threat with the Buffalo Bills, but 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan believed he could be more. Goodwin believed he could be more.

"It sickens me that people would think I'm just this fast dude who can't run routes or can't catch," Goodwin said in May of 2017.


ESPN ranked Goodwin as the second-fastest player in the NFL last offseason, behind just Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill. During his time in Buffalo, the receiver was typically limited to go-routes, comeback patterns, and lining up outside the numbers. With the 49ers, he got to show off his versatility.

"I'm running a lot of different routes that I never had the opportunity to run before," Goodwin said last offseason. "I'm just excited. I'm excited I can assume a different role."

In his first season within Shanahan's offense, Goodwin recorded 56 receptions for 962 yards with two touchdowns. That is seven more receptions than his four combined seasons in Buffalo and 182 more receiving yards. The 49ers rewarded Goodwin, who initially signed a two-year deal last year, with a three-year extension in March.

Pro Football Focus pointed out how much Goodwin's change in scenery has elevated his play. The 49ers receiver went from a 51.6 grade in 2016 to an 80.0 grade in 2017. In his final year with Buffalo, he finished the season as the 93rd ranked receiver in the league. That ranking jumped to No. 26 this year.


Despite being able to do other things, Goodwin has developed into a reliable deep threat for the 49ers. Goodwin led all wide receivers in passer rating when targeted on throws of 40-or-more yards. His quarterbacks last year combined for a phenomenal passer rating of 120.8 when targeting him at that distance.


H/t to Patrick Tulini for the find.

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