The 49ers have extended Marquise Goodwin by three years, and I’m not surprised. He was one of the most surprising receivers in the league last year.
Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Goodwin will receive $20.3 million for the three additional years, with $10 million guaranteed. They originally signed him to a two-year deal worth $8 million last spring.
A decorated track athlete, Goodwin has burner speed – probably one of the fastest half dozen players in the league. He made a bunch of big plays downfield last year, averaging 17.2 yards per reception – 2nd-most in the league among the 50 wide receivers with at least 50 catches.
His 83-yard touchdown against the Giants was one of the most memorable plays of the season – he decided to play even though he and his wife had lost their infant son during a premature delivery early that morning.
Goodwin was particularly productive last year after Pierre Garcon suffered a season-ending neck injury, showing better route-running ability, hands and toughness than he ever did in Buffalo. There were 27 wide receivers last year who saw 100 targets during the season (including Goodwin). Only five averaged more yards per pass play, and all were guys who had really good seasons – Tyreek Hill, Julio Jones, Brandin Cooks, Antonio Brown and Marvin Jones.
Taking on an increased role in November and December, Goodwin was one of only eight players with over 600 receiving yards during the second half of the season.
| RECEIVING LEADERS DURING SECOND HALF OF SEASON | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | No | Yards | Avg | TD |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 62 | 845 | 13.6 | 5 |
| Julio Jones, Atl. | 45 | 786 | 17.5 | 2 |
| Michael Thomas, N.O. | 54 | 700 | 13.0 | 3 |
| Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 44 | 698 | 15.9 | 6 |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Hou. | 45 | 686 | 15.2 | 5 |
| Adam Thielen, Minn. | 43 | 649 | 15.1 | 3 |
| Tyreek Hill, K.C. | 37 | 630 | 17.0 | 4 |
| Marquise Goodwin, S.F. | 36 | 613 | 17.0 | 2 |
| Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 59 | 592 | 10.0 | 3 |
| Keelan Cole, Jac. | 31 | 590 | 19.0 | 3 |
| Marvin Jones, Det. | 28 | 586 | 20.9 | 4 |
| Rob Gronkowski, N.E. | 35 | 575 | 16.4 | 3 |
| Jarvis Landry, Mia. | 56 | 557 | 9.9 | 5 |
| Brandin Cooks, N.E. | 32 | 519 | 16.2 | 4 |
| Jamison Crowder, Wash. | 38 | 517 | 13.6 | 3 |
| Robby Anderson, NYJ | 36 | 506 | 14.1 | 4 |
| Kenny Stills, Mia. | 30 | 506 | 16.9 | 2 |
| A.J. Green, Cin. | 36 | 500 | 13.9 | 4 |
| Mike Wallace, Balt. | 36 | 500 | 13.9 | 3 |
I’m not saying Goodwin will be their go-to option or a top-25 fantasy receiver. I think the 49ers are still re-tooling. Garcon will return to health, and I expect they’ll make a major addition to their receiving group.
But I think Goodwin will be a big part of the passing game. He’s got the big-play speed, and I think they’d be comfortable with him as the 2nd or 3rd wide receiver. Playing for Kyle Shanahan, Taylor Gabriel hit on a bunch of long touchdowns two years ago. Goodwin can fill that kind of role (and more). Let’s see how it plays out, but probably one of the first 30-40 receivers I would select if I were walking into a draft today.
—Ian Allan