There is a renewed level of excitement and buzz around the San Francisco 49ers that stems from the strong finish to the 2017 season that was spearheaded by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

One of the major offensive factors to emerge during that stretch was veteran wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who has quickly established himself as the primary receiving option for Garoppolo. According to Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle, Goodwin has remained in that vaunted No.1 receiver in the passing game throughout the team offseason workouts and training camp.

A year ago, Goodwin became the No. 1 wideout after Pierre Garcon sustained a season-ending injury. Now, Garcon, the team’s most decorated pass-catcher, is back … and Goodwin remains the 49ers’ top wide receiver.

The return of Pierre Garcon does give Garoppolo another talented receiving threat, but Goodwin has firmly grabbed ahold of the top spot in the passing game. The 27-year-old was able to put together a career-best campaign posting 56 catches for 962 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns while playing in all 16 regular season games for the first time in his career. Much of that production came in the last six games where he recorded more than 70 receiving yards while topping 100 receiving yards twice and making at least six receptions three times over that stretch.

Goodwin was able to prove that he can be more than just a quick down-the-field option in the passing game behind his strong connection with Garoppolo. In fact, he has become can be a productive possession receiver behind his route running with the ability to create big plays after the catch that have made him a go-to option in crucial situations.

All of this should set the table for him to indeed emerge as one of the most productive wide receivers in the league as a centerpiece of the 49ers offensive game plan in 2018.