Week 9 vs. Green Bay Packers
Trent Taylor may get some extra snaps and targets due to attrition in San Francisco. With Kendrick Bourne and Deebo Samuel likely to miss Thursday night's contest against the Packers, Taylor could earn a start. Fantasy owners in desperation mode might gamble on him, especially in PPR formats, but he's far too risky to consider starting in most leagues.
Update: Taylor now has WR3 potential in PPR formats with Brandon Aiyuk also out for Thursday night's tilt against the Packers. Expect a large increase in targets.
Fantasy Upside
Early indications are Taylor will remain San Francisco’s primary option out of the slot, especially in third-and-short situations. According to the team's official website, rookie Dante Pettis is likely to get reps there as well in specific situations, but Pettis won’t be limited to the slot, either. Both young wideouts should carve out roles for themselves within the 49ers offense.
Fantasy Downside
Taylor, who underwent back surgery this offseason, opens training camp on the PUP list. He can come off at any point prior to the season, but any missed time will give Pettis time to prove his worth.
2018 Bottom Line
Unless you're in a redraft league that awards points for return work (Taylor ranked 21st in the league in return yardage last season), it's going to be hard to justify investing draft capital in 49er wideouts beyond Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin. Other formats, primarily Dynasty, might be a different story.
Week 15 vs. Tennessee Titans
After a strong game in Jimmy Garoppolo's first start, Trent Taylor got just 3 targets last week—catching 2 of them for 11 yards. You could hope for a bounce back effort, but don't use Taylor as anything more than a FLEX play this week.
Week 14 at Houston Texans
Trent Taylor had 6 catches for 82 yards last week and should continue to benefit from the QB change in San Francisco. Houston's pass defense has been spotty. Taylor should see enough targets to be useful as a FLEX play this week in PPR leagues. But he does have just one TD catch this season.
Week 9 vs. Arizona Cardinals
With Pierre Garcon headed to IR this week, Trent Taylor gets more run. For what that's worth.
Week 5 at Indianapolis Colts
Trent Taylor followed up a decent game against the Rams two weeks ago by catching 5 passes for 47 yards last week. But that's about the high-water point for Taylor, even though he scored two weeks ago. In a different offense he might have more value. In this one, not so much.