On the same week he was labeled “clearly Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite target,” Marquise Goodwin flashed why. In a lone quarter of action, Goodwin racked up a team-high three targets, catching them all for a game-high 61 yards.
Goodwin was originally labeled a “Must Buy Bargain” in our Preseason Kickoff Guide, and he continues flashing why. Him and Garoppolo are clearly in sync, which was especially evident on a 40 yard hook-up deep down the sideline.
Their rapport has been evident ever since Jimmy G took over as starter. During these weeks (13-17), Goodwin was the PPR WR8 in fantasy. This stretch included an 8 catch, 99 yard game versus Chicago and a 10 catch, 114 yard game against Tennessee, and Goodwin ultimately racked up 29 catches for 384 yards — a 93 catch, 1,229 yard pace.
Most impressive, however, was that none of these 29 catches went for more than 20 yards…. So much for just a “deep ball artist.” Instead, Goodwin was destroying people underneath given all the space he was afforded at the line thanks to his speed, while proving highly capable of a full route tree.
Don’t forget to consider HC Kyle Shanahan. He has a lengthy track record of peppering No.1 “Alpha X Receivers,” is well-aware of just how dangerous Goodwin is, and plans to capitalize:
“When you can beat man coverage like that on almost any route we give you, and he’s catching it consistently, we’re excited about his year,” Shanahan said. “And (we) expect him to get a lot of opportunities.”
Though his ADP has steadily been climbing as the Hype Train builds (up to 78 from 100 just 2 weeks ago), Goodwin’s still seems likely to exceed his price tag. He’s refined his Olympic Speed into a dangerous all-around ability. He’ll be heavily utilized. And he has a dangerous rapport with a talented QB. These ingredients could combine for high-end WR2 production.
