Day one of 49ers training camp is officially in the books, and while it was a relatively low key day, and number of things stood out during the first practice under new head coach Kyle Shanahan.
ESPN.com 49ers beat writer Nick Wagoner joined the KJ Podcast from the KNBR bunker at Levi’s Stadium, and agreed with our Senior Writer Kevin Jones that the biggest standout from day one was recently signed slot receiver Marquise Goodwin.
“This offense I think is going to be average,” Jones began. “Good results from (Brian) Hoyer, good results from the running game, good results from Pierre (Garcon). Where it can become above average and actually do some damage is I think if Marquise Goodwin is a threat as a number two receiver, is hauling in 55 receptions, he’ll be a problem. He made a couple catches in traffic today. He stood out a little bit more to me as a guy they are going to count on…To me if Marquis Goodwin is a big factor this year, this offense could actually be pretty decent.”
The 5-foot-9 slot receiver played his first four seasons with the Bills catching 49 passes averaging 15.9 yards per reception and scoring six touchdowns. Goodwin, a former Olympic sprinter, has been known primarily as a downfield threat, but showed more versatility on Friday, an encouraging sign for a 49ers team without a clear #2 option.
“If you asked me who was the one player that stood out, and again I’m not throwing any parades for any of this stuff, but Marquis Goodwin was my answer,” Wagoner said. “The big thing I was impressed with was we all know he’s fast, we know he can go get the deep ball, that’s kind’ve been his M.O., or whatever M.O. he might have for his limited production in this league. But to see him make some catches in traffic, run some intermediate routes, go and grab the ball between a couple of defenders — he did it a couple of times actually — I think that’s very encouraging, because you need another outside receiver in addition to Pierre Garcon, who isn’t going to be a one-trick pony and isn’t going to just run down the field and you throw “9” routes to him. You need to be able to do a little bit more than that and he’s showing a few signs, at least very early, but he’s showing a few signs that he can do that.”
Listen to the full interview below. For the comments on Goodwin, skip to the 4:50 mark.