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Good news all around for the fantasy football stars in San Francisco. Except if you started Anquan Boldin, but 3 out of 4 ain't bad. The Niners visit the Titans in a contest that doesn't figure to be overflowing with fantasy points. There are a few interesting matchups and developing trends to discuss.
Frank Gore
If Frank Gore keeps a Bucket List I image there is a section that looks like this:
Make defenses hurtSquat a Volvo"Silence The Naysayers"
He just keeps getting it done and that doesn't figure to stop against a porous Tennessee run defense. The Titans have particularly been burned by backs catching passes out the backfield. Frank hasn't had a reception since week 3, but if Roman sees opportunity there he could get a few targets. Gore is a high end RB2 this week.
Colin Kaepernick
CK7 actually put up some useful fantasy numbers in Week 6. The wheels are still missing, but he found Vernon Davis for a couple of long TDs en route to a solid fantasy day. If you only starting Kap based on matchups, Sunday's game against the Titans isn't very attractive. Tennessee has been able to keep opposing passing attacks in check most of season. Their weakness is stopping the run - the bread, butter and jam of the Niner offense. With the run game being so successful it is hard to see Kaepernick returning to the top 10 fantasy QB discussion until defenses manages to stop Gore.
Anquan Boldin
This is the third week in a row the Niners will face a top pass defense. So far, Boldin hasn't overcome the odds. Q has 5 receptions over the last 2 weeks and is beginning to look more like a WR4 than a WR3. Titans corner, Alterraun Verner, has been one of the better DBs this season and Boldin's production should continue to be limited. The bright side here is that fellow big bodied receiver, Andre Johnson, did grab 8 balls against this squad earlier in the year. Johnson is a better receiver at this point, but Boldin should get around 8 or 9 targets this game. There are better WR3 options out there, but Boldin gets a slight bump in PPR leagues. Asking for anything over 5/50 may be a bit much.
Vernon Davis
The Kap/Davis connection is a thing of beauty and it seems Colin's fantasy production is tied to how many times defenders let Davis slip by. This bodes well for both QB and TE this week as the Titans have allowed 4 TDs to tight ends this season. Another top 3 fantasy day is in-store for Mr. Davis.
Chris Johnson
In the preseason I actually recommend you draft Johnson ahead of Gore. I wholeheartedly apologize for such a foolish suggestion. Just when you thought things couldn't get much worse for CJ2k, he enters week 7 without a TD and averaging just over 3 yards per carry. He'll get plenty of carries and he only needs one to have a good fantasy day, but he hasn't shown that explosive ability this year. Johnson isn't much more than a RB3/Flex play this week, even if the Niners have been vulnerable to the run as of late.
Ryan Fitzpatrick
No. Do not start Fitzpatrick this week. Suggested alternatives: Josh Freeman, Nick Foles, Neil O'Donnell, Billy Volek. Seriously, Fitzpatrick is a solid backup, but he performed badly against this defense last year and hasn't been a world beater in Jake Locker's absence. Explore ALL other options if you are desperate for a QB.
Kenny Britt
For some reason this guy is still on many fantasy teams. I guess there is hope he gets traded, but Sunday he'll be a Titan and on many fantasy benches.
Sleeper Pick
Kendall Wright
Wright is the only Titan receiver worth a roster spot these days. After seeing Arizona have some success with short passes in the flats, the Titans may attempt to duplicate the approach. Wright was Fitzpatrick's favorite target last week and maybe that trust can turn him into a surprise WR3 this week.
Projection: 7 receptions/ 80 yards/ 1 TD
Okay, let's hope some of the young receivers give me something positive to say going into the Jacksonville game next week. As always, leave your fantasy football question in the comment section and we'll see what's up.