ESPN analyst Chris Mortensen has reported that wide receiver Pierre Garcon will finalize a deal with the San Francisco 49ers tomorrow. The full terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed, but he is expected to make $16 million in his first year. Garcon spent the last four years with the Washington Redskins after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2008.
When Pierre Garcon finalizes deal with 49ers, as expected, league sources believe he will make $16 million in first year.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 8, 2017
Report: Pierre Garcon To Sign With San Francisco 49ers
Garcon started all 16 games last season with Washington, posting a stat line of 79 receptions for 1,041 yards and three touchdowns. Garcon finished the season with an 85.8 grade by Pro Football Focus, good enough for eighth overall in the NFL (and his highest graded season over the course of his career). 2016 marked the second consecutive season that Garcon played in, and started, all 16 games for the Redskins, and the fourth season of his career to do so.
Prior to signing a five-year, $42.5 million deal in Washington, Garcon spent four years with the Indianapolis Colts, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He spent his rookie season mostly as a backup, only registering four catches for 23 yards over the course of the season. An injury to Anthony Gonzalez allowed Garcon to secure the number two receiver spot, however, and in 2009 Garcon became fixed at the number two position.
Garcon left the Colts in free agency in 2012, signing with the Washington Redskins after continuous improvement in his first four seasons. During his time in Washington, Garcon has amassed a decent pedigree for a complementary receiver, even though he only breached the 1,000 yard receiving mark twice. In 2016, he secured a catch rate over 70 percent while also averaging over 13 yards per reception.
Garcon will never be a true number one receiver in the NFL, but he adds a needed dimension to the offense, bringing with him sure hands and consistent production over the past five years. When a first down is needed, you can guarantee that Garcon will be able to make the catch to secure it. Garcon will be 31 years old for the upcoming season, but he doesn’t look to have lost anything with age.
