San Francisco 49ers fantasy preview

Warren Sharp’s Strength of Schedule: Warren Sharp projects San Francisco to not only have the 3rd-easiest overall offensive schedule, the project to face the easiest slate of run-defenses in 2019.

Must Draft

Wolverine-esque Matt Breida is one of the biggest steals of 2019 fantasy drafts. The all-purpose back, likely to receive a 50/50 (or better) split with the newly acquired Tevin Coleman is coming off the board in the 8th Round across all formats but likely to return RB2 value. The Shanahan rushing system is no joke—per Rich Hribar, the 2018 49ers motley-running-backs-crew posted the 5th-highest yards from scrimmage last year. With the backfield narrowed to a two-headed committee, expect the ultra-talented ironman Breida to smash his ADP.

Dante Pettis has been publicly put on blast by HC Kyle Shanahan this preseason but we can still expect him to assume No. 1 WR duties as no one’s come close to taking the job and Pettis is a truly talented receiver. Consider Shanahan’s critical comments some serious tough love and draft him aggressively at his 8th/9th Round ADP.

George Kittle is the unquestioned TE2—and possibly TE1—entering 2019. Setting the single-season record for tight end receiving yards is no joke and he did it with a surprisingly low TD rate. Although he’s unexpected to match his record-setting yardage mark, a positive regression to the touchdown mean should be expected. His 3rd Round ADP is the perfect place to take him.

Good values

Jimmy Garoppolo is going undrafted in some formats but is an excellent late-round QB target. Regardless of his talent, the Shanahan system is quarterback friendly. Rookie Nick Mullens averaged 284 passing yards, 1.6 touchdowns, and 1.25 interceptions in 8 games last year while C.J. Beathard managed a similar 250 yards, 1.6 touchdowns, and 1.4 interceptions. Garoppolo may not end up being the Pro Bowler we thought he would be but little doubt remains that he’s an upgrade on both Mullens and Beathard.

Although we’ve got high hopes for Matt Breida, Tevin Coleman is the nominal starter. He’ll get his share of backfield touches and is a good value, coming off the board as a high-end RB3.

Monitor

If Jalen Hurd gets healthy, he’s a long-shot league-winner. The presumed starting slot receiver functioned as a running back, tight end, and receiver. At 6’5”, 227lbs he’s perfect for a slot receiver/gadget goal-line back.

Both Marquise Goodwin and Deebo Samuel are talented players but it’s a crowded receiving corps. If one of them separates from the pack, add them.

Avoid

Kyle Juszczyk and Kendrick Bourne.