The San Francisco 49ers are expected to make serious moves before year three of their rebuild in the regime of John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. And this means changing so much in regards to positions that are in dire need of improvement. One of these areas is at wide receiver, where much of the talent is still young and developing or injured.
However, one player that isn't in that realm is veteran pass-catcher Pierre Garçon. A player that's over the hill in regards to his talent. Someone that's been underperforming as a player penciled in as the primary receiver since being signed in 2017. Someone that has found himself unable to play because of injuries and once on the field continues to not live up to what the 49ers are paying him.
He's a receiver the team can move forward from and this offseason is that time for San Francisco to make this move. Especially after they tried so hard to trade him before the end of the trade deadline. It has become obvious that the 49ers do not need Garcon and quite frankly may not want him anymore anyway.
So with all of this being said, here are three reasons why the 49ers need to trade Garçon.
3. The Emergence of Dante Pettis as a No. 1 Receiver
After a shaky start in the first few weeks of his rookie season because of first-year mistakes and injuries, the second-round pick has found his footing the last three weeks. Pettis has put together 13 catches for 218 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
He's been able to find his footing as a playmaker through his explosiveness and phenomenal route running. It's something that sets him apart from other receivers on the team as someone that can stretch the field using more than just his quickness.
On this play that he had against the Buccaneers when he was playing against man coverage, Pettis used the defender's momentum against him and created separation in the process.
Dante Pettis put his defender on a slip n slide 😮😮😮 @dmainy_13 https://t.co/NJsGgq2Isq
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 29, 2018
Unfortunately, quarterback Nick Mullens was sacked on the play, but it's just a sample of what Pettis can bring to the 49ers as the primary receiver.
He did the same thing last game against the Seahawks when selling a go route that turned into a deep hitch.
Dante Pettis is an elite route runner. Sells the go route, a slight lean toward the post, then curls it on the next couple of step. The key is keeping the corner running out and getting him to anticipate the deep route across or down the side line. The nuance is elite. #49wz pic.twitter.com/76ThEjWUw8
— Rich (@richjmadrid) December 2, 2018
Once again, creating separation and making it easier for the quarterback to get the ball to him. It was just one of the many plays he produced in space during this breakout game for himself against Seattle. He ended the game with career highs in every receiving category with five catches for 129 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Aside from a few rookie mistakes, he's proving to be a steal for the San Francisco 49ers thus far. He should be able to continue making the most out of these opportunities with the rest of 2018 open for him to make more plays as both Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin are out.
2. Pierre Garçon Continues to Get Injured and Underproduce
When Garçon was brought in by head coach Kyle Shanahan, he was expected to produce the same type of numbers he put up when they were paired together in Washington. During that time, he put up his best statistics in his career and showed promise as a go-to receiver. One season, in particular, Garçon put together a league-leading 113 receptions in 2013 for a career-high 1,346 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
However, since joining the 49ers, he's found himself injury-prone and unable to even come close to being able to get those same statistics. He's already missed 12 games through his 49ers tenure and has only put up 64 catches for 786 receiving yards and one touchdown. This marks the worst two-year stretch in his career.
Even worse, this season is going to be his worst statistical year since being a full-time starter. He has the worst catch percentage since 2011 with a 53.3 percent so far this year. He's on pace to record 36 receptions and 429 receiving yards, which are all career-lows for him. This is, of course, if he can get back from injury.
These aren't the numbers of a primary target.
1. The 49ers Can Get Out of His Contract This Offseason
The 49ers signed Garçon to a five-year $47.5 million deal in the 2017 offseason with the intent that he would be their number one guy moving forward. However, they have a potential out in the 2019 offseason.
It's a move that would save them $24.5 million and create more cap space to go to other position needs or extend players that deserve an extension like DeForest Buckner or George Kittle. There are enough options for general manager John Lynch to go with, but cutting him right away to save money for the future is something that will help the 49ers tremendously.
The 32-year-old receiver isn't worth the price moving forward with the numbers shown above. And with the proneness to injury he's shown, it's time for the Pierre Garçon to be cut or traded this offseason.
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