49ers Fantasy Football, Week 11: Where Does Kendall Hunter Fit In On Sunday?

by David Fucillo on Nov 19, 2011 6:01 AM PST in Fantasy Football

The 49ers host the Cardinals tomorrow and will find themselves in an intriguing situation with their next game only four days after the Cardinals game. Coach Harbaugh has insisted the team is focused on the Arizona game and nothing else, but you just have to think the coaches have spent a decent amount of time breaking down the Baltimore Ravens and getting a game plan ready. It's an incredibly short week after the Cardinals game, with the team flying out to Baltimore on Wednesday, so every second counts in preparing for the Ravens.

There have been some question marks about resting players given the short week. If the 49ers are able to take a sizable early lead, I have to think we'll see a guy like Kendall Hunter get a decent amount of touches. The question is how they mix him in before any possible big lead materializes (if at all).

While I realize not everybody plays fantasy football, I think it does provide some context for discussing what the team might do on Sunday. For example, if you have Kendall Hunter on your roster, he could actually make a decent flex option if you need some help because of bye weeks woes. There is a gamble with playing Hunter, but there is some solid upside this particular week.

The one guy I really like this week is Alex Smith. His downside is that even with a big offensive showing from the 49ers, Smith could end up with only 170 or 180 yards. But there is some solid upside against a sometimes struggling Cardinals defense. I have Drew Brees in a money league and he is on bye this week. Six weeks ago I picked up Alex Smith just for this game. He could come up with a normal line for this season, but I figure I'll roll the dice on a solid performance.

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I'd be interested to see Hunter get most the touches

Then give Dixon some as well. Hopefully we can control the clock with those guys and put a fair amount of points on the board early, allowing Gore to rest for Thursday when we will (theoretically) need him more.

The best possible scenario would be for Alex Smith to get three or four touchdown passes through 3 quarters while Gore rests his knee. That would help us for Thursday, and would also get you the fantasy points you need (haha).

It would really be awesome for Smith to come out and light it up. Throw for 300 yards and then put Kaep or Tolzien in when we have a huge lead.

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by liberty_JAC on Nov 19, 2011 6:13 AM PST reply actions

Give Hunter a hole

And he’ll take it to the house.

by Ougadas on Nov 19, 2011 7:15 AM PST reply actions

I picked up Smith

As soon as Schaub went down.

"I can honestly tell you that every time you win a game, it's like ... six hours of just the greatest feeling there is" - Jim Harbaugh

by return2greatness on Nov 19, 2011 7:27 AM PST reply actions

And then you started Tebowing....

BOOOOOOOOOO

Harbaugh will find a QB and he will succeed.

by goatfather on Nov 19, 2011 8:16 AM PST up reply actions

Kaepernick

His cartoon avatar is white. haha.

by PK Broiler on Nov 19, 2011 7:33 AM PST reply actions

I picked up Hunter last week in the hopes for a sneaky, DeMarco Murray-type performance.

by TDP on Nov 19, 2011 7:41 AM PST reply actions

UGH I don't know whether to start Hunter or not

Part of me thinks the coaching staff will start Gore and then give him about 10-15 carries. If Hunter gets 15 that would be cool, but I think Dixon will get some as well.

Hunter may only end up with 5 – 10 carries if the Cards load the box.

Harbaugh will find a QB and he will succeed.

by goatfather on Nov 19, 2011 8:15 AM PST reply actions

Hunter

I have 2 RBs on a bye (Sproles/Tate) and Bradshaw injured. I picked up Hunter and am starting him. I’m hoping for a blowout win that nets him a lot of carries. With Gore’s injury concerns, Hunter could be used a lot more than normal in any type of game. Of course, they could just throw a bit more, but Hunter is good for a big gainer or two, so that’s what I’m looking for. If Gore’s rested I’d expect to see Dixon in on short yardage and goal line, some Hunter needs to break one to get into the end zone. He has explosive capabilities, so I really like his upside for this game.

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by nostocksjustbonds on Nov 19, 2011 9:57 AM PST reply actions

probably a homer choice

Yeah I’m starting Kendall Hunter over James Starks and Ben Ogbannaya. I’d like to think it’s because Starks is consistently average and Ogbannaya is slower than a Post Office line, but it’s probably because he’s a Niner lol

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by armchair middle distance runner on Nov 19, 2011 9:59 AM PST reply actions

What if you have Gore & Hunter and can only start one?

I have this scenerio in two money leagues and have gone back & forth all week on this. I want Gore in of course since he is the feature Back. Should I be safe just putting in Hunter in knowing I’ll get some points with the potiental for Hunter to go ALL WORLD on the Cards if they decide to rest Gore by halftime for the Baltimore game?? Yes, it would be nice to put both RB’s in and really be safe but then that means a good WR such as L. Robinson(Cowgirls) in one league and D. Williams (Tenn)/D. Nelson(Buf) in other league will not be playing. ……..smh!!

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by Kidd2Petrovic on Nov 19, 2011 12:44 PM PST reply actions

I'm in the same situation

and I’m in total agony over it. My thinking: since the 49ers play late, I’ll play Hunter if I’m leading my fantasy game, since he’s guaranteed at least 5-10 touches. If I’m behind in fantasy, I’ll start Gore and hope for a 20-pointer.

by ninerspride on Nov 19, 2011 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

Ouch

Maybe Hunter.

Gore might be limited due to his injury even if he is playing the feature role. Of course he could also go 25-169-2TD on your bench.

This is why I don’t play FF. Too much rides on RB’s in a league going to committees.

by Ougadas on Nov 19, 2011 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

timing of the game

As ninerspride mention, maybe wait and see how things are looking just before game time. I actually think Hunter is the safer play, but Gore has more upside.

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by David Fucillo on Nov 19, 2011 3:46 PM PST up reply actions