NFL training camps are open, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy football preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 32 NFL teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, the sleepers in specific formats, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the San Francisco 49ers.
Must Own
Frank Gore, RB: Gore may be the president of the "unsexy pick" club, but he gets the job done year after year in a good offense. Three straight seasons of eight or more touchdowns, and at least 1,100 yards make him a great option yet again. The backfield in San Fran is starting to get a wee bit crowded, but he's still the head of the pack.
Michael Crabtree, WR: Crabtree's numbers were down in an injury-shortened 2013 campaign, but he's the sure No. 1 WR for Colin Kaepernick. An 85-catch, 1,115-yard 2012 season should be the barometer for those considering Crabtree in drafts-and he's surrounded by weapons this year so he won't see too many double teams.
Vernon Davis, TE: Davis is a tricky one. While he's a must own for sure, and easily one of the most talented TEs in the NFL, his fifth round ADP is too high. 13-touchdown seasons are incredibly difficult to repeat, and even though Davis has now done it twice, the first one was in 2009. Avoid drafting him in Round 5. If he falls down to you, then snap up a quality, if boom-or-bust, player. If not-be happy someone else let an asset fall.
Anquan Boldin, WR: With Crabtree sidelined for much of last season Boldin did a great job of picking up the slack. He caught 85 passes for 1,179 yards and seven touchdowns. That's not going to happen again now that he will be relegated to the No. 3 option in the passing game, but he remains a physical specimen with amazing hands. Boldin will also continue to be the preferred option to Crabtree in the end zone.
Defense/Special Teams: While this unit still should be very good, injuries and suspensions have rocked it. Don't draft them on par with the Seattle D/ST-if you do you've wasted a fairly high pick. Like Davis, if this defense falls to you near the end of the draft take them, and be patient while it reloads. In the second half of the season they'll pay off.
Phil Dawson, K: The Niners attempt a ton of field goals, and aren't shy about letting it rip from long range. Dawson was 4-of-6 from 50 yards or more, and connected on just under 90 percent of his total field goal attempts.
Sleepers (Best Format)
Colin Kaepernick, QB (Standard): Kaepernick's a highly hyped player, but his fantasy production has lagged behind the glowing praise. There's no questioning his rushing skills, but in 2013 his rushing numbers resembled his 2012 output despite playing in twice the amount of games. He's a stud QB2 in two-QB formats, but in one-QB leagues, he's a questionable player to rely on despite enormous upside.
Carlos Hyde, RB (Standard): Hyde doesn't project as much of a pass-catcher, but he was one of college football's elite rushers at Ohio State, and he'll see playing time even if Gore never breaks down. Hyde was one of the most NFL-ready backs in the 2014 draft class, and if something happens to Gore, he's an RB1.
Stevie Johnson, WR (PPR): Johnson's been a No. 1 in Buffalo for years, but in San Fran he's a guy. Either he or the next player on this list will emerge as a player that's startable during bye weeks though, so they make the list.
Brandon Lloyd, WR (PPR): Lloyd once led the entire NFL in receiving. Hard to believe but it's true. That was way back in 2010, and nobody's expecting him to do that ever again, but it's not hard to fathom a productive year out of a player whose achieved such success in the past.
Deep Finds (Best Format)
Bruce Ellington, WR (PPR): Johnson and Lloyd have good NFL track records, but sometimes with veterans when it goes, it goes. Ellington is a mid-round draft choice from South Carolina that may be a nice slot type over the middle that can make defenders miss in the open field. He's certainly a more exciting player than either Lloyd or Johnson, so it's something to keep an eye on.
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