Marquise Goodwin’s time in a 49ers uniform appears to be nearing its end. Speculation about a possible trade involving the veteran wide receiver was confirmed Monday by general manager John Lynch in a video conference. He said the team has had active discussions with teams about trading for Goodwin, and have come close multiple times to making a swap.
There’s a role for Goodwin in an NFL offense, but the 49ers need to start clearing space for some of their younger receivers. Goodwin is due to make $4.9 million this season against the cap and has played just 20 games the last two years while battling injuries and attending to personal matters.
When he’s been on the field in San Francisco he’s been productive. Goodwin caught 56 balls for 962 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games in 2017. He signed a three-year, $18.85 million contract after that season. Even in 2018 as he dealt with injuries, he still managed to post 395 and four touchdowns on 23 receptions in 11 games.
The 2019 campaign was less productive. He fell out of favor in a shallow receiving corps and eventually went on injured reserve with knee and foot injuries. Goodwin last season managed just 12 catches, 186 yards and one touchdown in nine games.
If the 49ers can’t find a trade partner, chances are they’ll wind up parting ways with the 29-year-old. However, it sounds like they have multiple suitors, or at least a team willing to make multiple offers for him. Goodwin’s speed is unique and dangerous when he has the ball in his hands. It’s not a surprise that another team would be vying for the services of a player with Olympic-caliber speed and a relatively cheap contract.
This will be something worth keeping a close eye on as the draft draws closer. The 49ers are low on draft capital in 2020, and acquiring a pick for a player they’re likely to release anyway would be a win for the organization. Given that the Jaguars only got a fifth-round pick for defensive lineman Calais Campbell, it’s hard to gauge just how much draft capital the 49ers would get for moving Goodwin. Anything, even a conditional 2021 pick would be better than nothing.
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