Player Spotlight & Fantasy Outlook - Marquise Goodwin

Marquise Goodwin Wide Receiver #11

San Francisco 49ers | 

Height: 5-9   Weight: 180   Age: 27

Born: 11/19/1990 Lubbock, TX

College: Texas

Experience: 6th season

High School: Rowlett HS [TX]

The Perception:

Entering the NFL back in 2013 Marquise Goodwin was known by many as a world class track star that played football. That perception never sat well with the speedy wide receiver as he was never shy to voice that displeasure through media channels stating he was a football player that also ran track. Clearly from day one the proverbial chip was placed on his shoulder to prove the masses he indeed could play this game at the highest level despite his naysayers. Marquise began his career with the Buffalo Bills being selected in the third round (78^th overall) in the 2013 NFL draft under the Doug Marrone/Doug Whaley regime. His blazing speed was the obvious attraction for NFL scouts believing they could find creative ways to integrate him into the offensive scheme. Alas, the Buffalo Bills did the exact opposite forcing Goodwin to run mostly fly routes as their only true depth threat.

As seasons moved forward for the Bills and Marquise Goodwin, a major concern was becoming reality, as scouting profiles suggested Goodwin would struggle to remain on the field due in part to his lack of stature finding his way into the medical room with high frequency. In his first four years in the league donning the Buffalo Blue, Goodwin missed a whopping 25 contests in that time leaving Bills management frustrated and ready to part ways in the offseason. Receiving no offer to rejoin the team that drafted him, Goodwin found his way to warmer pastures collecting a contract from the San Francisco 49ers to potentially be a part of the rebuild of the once proud franchise.

Entering his first season in the Bay Area, Goodwin’s expectations weren’t gleaming as the team in general had issues throughout the entire roster as the new administration of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch began the rebuild. Understanding no franchise quarterback existed on the roster at the beginning of the 2017 season, the potential was there for Marquise to show his talent and ability on a prove-it two year contract. Marquise started the season flanking the opposite starting receiver position alongside Pierre Garcon, but seemed to be used in a similar fashion (as in the past) of primarily running go-routes to exploit the defensive back end with his elite speed. Enter week five of the 2017 season and you witnessed the break out party for Goodwin allowing the league to take notice of his talent as he racked up 5 receptions for 116 yards. Showing good progression as the season wore on; Goodwin gained trust of the offensive mastermind in Shanahan allowing him to become more essential to the offense producing 29 receptions for 438 yards and 1 touchdown in the last five weeks of the season. Great building blocks to rejuvenate his career and change the public perception once and for all.   

The Reality:

The 49ers made waves in the 2017 season but not necessarily for their play on the field. The San Fran brain trust had a distinct plan to tank the season in hopes to be rewarded a top selection in the 2018 NFL draft to secure the services of a top flight franchise quarterback. That plan came to a grinding halt with one phone call from New England Patriots boss Bill Belichick. The Patriots had quite the conundrum on their roster as backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was due a large raise on his expiring contract, and owner Robert Kraft wasn’t willing to shell out big dollars with his golden boy Tom Brady still on the roster. Belichick was forced to orchestrate a deal which saw Jimmy Garoppolo shipped to the 49ers essentially for a bag of footballs compared to the potential oozing form the young pivot.

Once the deal involving Jimmy was confirmed, it was clear the 49ers believed they hit the jackpot securing their quarterback for the future and the reality that Goodwin would finally have a passer that could get him the ball with great regularity. Developing a connection the last five weeks of the season, Goodwin was given more freedom to showcase his route running ability being the primary target now that Garcon was lost for the season. While ADF believes coach Shanahan can make anyone productive in his offensive systems, the realization for Marquise is that he could actually be a well put together receiver able to run the full route tree with precision. Goodwin will be given every opportunity to flash his speed while being trusted with an expanded role even with Pierre Garcon retuning from injury.    

The Outlook:

When you witness progression in any individual you begin to take notice of a developing skillset that could reach maturity in the process. Marquise Goodwin has found his stride in the Kyle Shanahan system receiving trust from the coaching staff to fulfill a much larger role in 2018. During the evaluation process before being drafted into the league, some scouts compared Goodwin to the likes of Mike Wallace finding traits that were very comparable, an interesting association. Marquise is yet to put everything together on the field, but the uptick meter is certainly moving to areas never seen before in his career. Goodwin has struggled with injures thus far but managed to finally suit up for every contest last season wearing the red and gold. Even though Goodwin isn’t on the radar to overwhelm the league with top tear numbers placing him in the conversation with elite talent at the receiver position, he does possess a fantastic skillset in a complementary role that could be invaluable to the 49ers success in the new year.

From the fantasy perceptive, Goodwin finished the 2017 season having a career year hauling in 56 receptions for 962 yards and two touchdowns while playing all 16 games. Though his touchdown rate is quite low never seeing more than three scores in a season, that could be on the rise given the offensive system and who will be throwing him the ball. As we eluded above, Marquise is finding ways to be more productive outside of being a simple deep threat even though it remains the great positive to his game. Goodwin saw 13 receptions over 20 yards and 5 hit over 40 yards last season, so just imagine what he’ll see with Jimmy Garoppolo this season, (licking our chops). Goodwin finished the year amassing 112.6 fantasy points giving him an average of 7.0 points per game (Points Per Reception), good enough to hold the 29 rank for receivers last year. The value Goodwin holds in comparison to his current ADP (Average Draft Position) is fantastic. Marquise presently holds the 98^th slot in mock drafts and has been seen to fall into the 150’s making it clear his stock is all over the map in some circles. ADF envisions Goodwin breaking the 1000 yard receiving mark this season potentially adding 5 touchdowns in the process. At the right price we fully endorse Marquise Goodwin all day.