San Francisco 49ers Fantasy Breakdown
It’s remarkable how being one game away from winning it all can feel even worse than going winless throughout the season. San Francisco endured a heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs to say goodbye to the 2019 season. While the 49ers are looking to gear up for another championship run in 2020, their fantasy prospects aren’t near as endearing. The 49ers may have been overachievers last season, but that has created incredibly high expectations coming into the season.
Offseason Additions:
Travis Benjamin
Trent Williams
Offseason Losses:
DeForest Buckner
Matt Breida
Mike Person
Joe Staley
Marquise Goodwin
Draft Picks:
1.14 Javon Kinlaw - DT - South Carolina
1.25 Brandon Aiyuk - WR - ASU
1.153 Colton McKivitz - OT - WVU
6.190 Charlie Woerner - TE - Georgia
7.217 Jauan Jennings - WR - Tennessee
Quarterback
Some will tell you that the Jimmy Garrapolo trade was a blockbuster and a key building block for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Others will claim that Bill Belicheck realized he was a game manager and was happy to unload him for a second round pick. The jury is still out but here is what we do know about Jimmy G; his intangibles and ability to manage a game are good enough to guide a team on a magical playoff run. At his worst he makes bonehead decisions that leave you scratching your head. These issues can be corrected, and Jimmy still has room for improvement as a passer. The 49ers are built to run the ball, and then run the ball some more. He will not be expected to be someone that airs it out 40 times a game and thus has a very limited ceiling. Jimmy G should not be drafted in standard QB leagues and should only be drafted as a 3rd QB option in superflex formats.
Running Backs:
The 49ers enter 2020 with a lot of bodies at the RB position. Raheem Mostert flashed previously unseen abilities late in 2019 finishing as a top 10 fantasy running back down the stretch and into the playoffs. He is currently seeking a new contract or a trade so it’s definitely a situation to watch. Mostert is a very risky option going into 2020 and is currently being drafted at the end of the 5th round.
Tevin Coleman, unlike Mostert, is currently being paid to be the starting running back in San Fran. Coleman was not effective in 2019 but should have the chance to redeem himself in 2020. Jerrick McKinnon is also apparently still alive and expected to see some snaps this season. I’ll believe it when I see it. All three of these backs will be a dart throw throughout the season. Good luck guessing which one will pop on any given week. The addition of Trent Williams is a huge positive for this committee and Shanahan always seems to have a few tricks up his sleeve in the running game. Expect RB 2 upside but most likely RB 4 returns for Mostert and Coleman. Avoid McKinnon in every format.
Wide Receivers:
Deebo Samuel burst onto the scene in the second half of the season last season and looked like a stud all the way through the Super Bowl. Losing him for any amount of time is a big blow to this extremely young receiving core. Samuel should pick up right where he left off if his injury isn’t too severe. He’s currently being drafted in the 8th round which could prove to be great value if he is your WR 3-4. Deebo also offers the ability to make plays out of the backfield and averaged 20+ yards a carry over the last 6 weeks of the season. After Deebo the 9ers have first round pick Brandon Aiyuk. Anyone who has watched Aiyuks tape knows he has talent. He could be a great late round dart throw and is currently going in the 13th round. Aiyuk will definitely have the opportunity to prove himself early and often in this offense.
Tight End:
Finally, something juicy. George Kittle is a grown ass man. Not only is Kittle arguably the best pass catching tight end in the game, he may be the best blocking one as well. Kittle broke the all time tight end receiving record in 2018 only to turn around and post another 1000 yard season in 2019. The only question with Kittle is are you willing to invest a second round draft pick in a tight end. If you are, Kittle is the one.
Defense:
The 49ers will sack the quarterback and force turnovers. There is no doubt about it. Unfortunately they will also give up yards in bunches and plenty of pints. Depending on league scoring, this D/ST could be the top overall unit in 2020. While this unit lost DeForest Buckner in a trade to the Colts, they did replace him with rookie first rounder Javon Kinlaw.
Nick Bosa is an absolute monster and the clear leader of this defensive unit. San Fran is a great defense to invest one of your last picks in.
San Francisco has the classic build of a team that is ready to win now as a cohesive unit, without the need for studs and superstars across the field. While they do have some pieces, most of the 49ers should be drafted much later than their contemporaries. George Kittle is a certified stud and will be drafted early and owned in every format. If you find him on the waiver wire, quit your league and stop playing with rookies. Look for the 49ers to field an elite NFL team, and a very vanilla fantasy one.