My final preseason top 250 rankings last year were not kind to the 49ers compared to where nearly every expert out there ranked them:
Colin Kaepernick: #15 QB (popular top 10 pick; finished 17th)
Frank Gore: #29 RB (popular top 20 pick; finished 17th)
Vernon Davis: #11 (popular top 5 pick; finished 40th)
49ers D: #11 (popular top 5 pick; finished 10th)
This year--due partly to lost personnel on the offensive line, and also due to my continued doubts that Kaepernick will ever be an elite or even near-elite QB--my view of the fantasy team remains largely the same. It appears popular opinion is largely on the same page.
Kaepernick's ADP is right where he finished last year (#17). That makes sense to me. It'll be interesting to see what buzz comes out of camp. He's been working this offseason to improve his delivery. If these improvements hold, he could be a trendy low-end QB1 with occasional upside. But for now, it's wait-and-see mode.
Carlos Hyde (#15 RB ADP) is one of the more overrated RBs in the draft. There's no doubt he's the #1 RB in San Francisco and could/should earn 250+ touches. But last year's 4.0 YPC likely won't go up with departures of offensive linemen Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis. Pro Football Focus ranked this line 9th overall last year and 5th in run blocking. I could be very wrong, but this is my belief right now, and it's not likely to change unless the Niners make changes.
Reggie Bush (#37 RB ADP) is on the very downside of his career, but should still produce decent value once every three-or-so games.
Anquan Boldin (#48 WR ADP) shocked me last year. Honestly didn't see that coming. The addition of Torrey Smith should not impact his ADP, but age might. Still, I'd gladly retain him as a WR3/4, as he still might lead the team in receptions and yards.
Torrey Smith (#38 ADP) had an unusual season for a young, rising WR star: only 767 yards, but 11 TDs. The yards should go up this year, while the scores should drop. I think 950+ yards and 6+ TDs are about right.
Vernon Davis is my current pick for most undervalued TE of the draft. Coming off atrocious season and entering a contract year, this is a guy who has two elite TE1 seasons under his belts. He'll be the second or third receiver option in San Francisco. His current ADP is ridiculously shortsighted. I’m looking at 750+ yards and 6+ TDs, placing him squarely in the top 10. And those numbers might go up depending on what we see later this summer.
Colin Kaepernick: #15 QB (popular top 10 pick; finished 17th)
Frank Gore: #29 RB (popular top 20 pick; finished 17th)
Vernon Davis: #11 (popular top 5 pick; finished 40th)
49ers D: #11 (popular top 5 pick; finished 10th)
This year--due partly to lost personnel on the offensive line, and also due to my continued doubts that Kaepernick will ever be an elite or even near-elite QB--my view of the fantasy team remains largely the same. It appears popular opinion is largely on the same page.
Kaepernick's ADP is right where he finished last year (#17). That makes sense to me. It'll be interesting to see what buzz comes out of camp. He's been working this offseason to improve his delivery. If these improvements hold, he could be a trendy low-end QB1 with occasional upside. But for now, it's wait-and-see mode.
Carlos Hyde (#15 RB ADP) is one of the more overrated RBs in the draft. There's no doubt he's the #1 RB in San Francisco and could/should earn 250+ touches. But last year's 4.0 YPC likely won't go up with departures of offensive linemen Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis. Pro Football Focus ranked this line 9th overall last year and 5th in run blocking. I could be very wrong, but this is my belief right now, and it's not likely to change unless the Niners make changes.
Reggie Bush (#37 RB ADP) is on the very downside of his career, but should still produce decent value once every three-or-so games.
Anquan Boldin (#48 WR ADP) shocked me last year. Honestly didn't see that coming. The addition of Torrey Smith should not impact his ADP, but age might. Still, I'd gladly retain him as a WR3/4, as he still might lead the team in receptions and yards.
Torrey Smith (#38 ADP) had an unusual season for a young, rising WR star: only 767 yards, but 11 TDs. The yards should go up this year, while the scores should drop. I think 950+ yards and 6+ TDs are about right.
Vernon Davis is my current pick for most undervalued TE of the draft. Coming off atrocious season and entering a contract year, this is a guy who has two elite TE1 seasons under his belts. He'll be the second or third receiver option in San Francisco. His current ADP is ridiculously shortsighted. I’m looking at 750+ yards and 6+ TDs, placing him squarely in the top 10. And those numbers might go up depending on what we see later this summer.