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Fooch's Note: The Niners Nation FanDuel League is live for Week 16. Entry fee is $5, and top 15 split $400 in prizes. If you're new to FanDuel, use FanDuel promo code SBNATION32 to start earning a 100 percent deposit bonus.
Must Starts
Antonio Gates: Keenan Allen usually dominates the short to intermediate routes, but since he'll be in street clothes Gates becomes a very strong play at tight end. I would have dropped the FanDuel dollars to add him to my team, but he is a Saturday only play. I'd only start Graham or Gronk ahead of him this week.
Quality Starts
Frank Gore: Can't really be trusted just being cleared from concussion protocol and on a short week. He is a tempting FLEX play since Carlos Hyde won't be available.
Anquan Boldin: A vanishing tide lowers all ships. With Kaepernick struggling Boldin hasn't been very useful for fantasy purposes. With 3 straight weeks of lackluster production you can safely look for other options this week. If he is someone you must start, he does have some WR3 appeal since the San Diego secondary isn't exactly the talk of the town.
Philip Rivers: He is the most interesting player in this game and the one most likely to be on championship rosters. The main concerns are his back injury and the loss of the Keenan Allen and perhaps Ryan Mathews. I'd avoid him if possible, but I understand he may be the best play available. I'd expect a 250 yard 1-2TD day from Rivers. If you think you can do better elsewhere you are encouraged to look.
Malcom Floyd: The veteran speedster has been a quality WR3/4 all season and he should see an uptick in targets. The 49ers do a good job at limiting long route receivers, but Floyd should be able to get around 5/80.
Avoid
Colin Kaepernick: I have my doubts you made it to the championship game with Kaepernick this season. However, if for some reason you are considering starting him this week, do not. The San Diego defense is a quality unit and they are fighting for a playoff spot. If you need an alternative I recommend you acquire the services of RG3, Josh McCown or our old friend Alex Smith.
Michael Crabtree: Well, there's always next year. Not saying he can't have a good game, but the probability is too low for me to consider him a WR4.
Vernon Davis: The only reason I'm even mentioning him is name value. He might be on waivers, but leave him there. He hasn't topped 4/44 since week 1.
Ryan Mathews, Branden Oliver, Donald Brown: Mathews is out and the 49ers are still playing the run well enough to be an issue. Ideally, I'd avoid the whole bunch, but Oliver is a better play than Brown if you are in a pinch.