The NFL is officially through Week 5, and while NFL playoffs are still three months away, fantasy football playoffs will be here sooner than you know it. Those fantasy football waiver additions in the next couple weeks could be critical if your team is teetering on the edge of contention. We’ll take a look at some 49ers specific waiver options, but also some other options around the NFL. Percent owned represents Yahoo! ownership numbers.
Colin Kaepernick (1 percent owned)
Yep, it’s time to start pondering Colin Kaepernick, fantasy quarterback. The 49ers have not announced their plans for the quarterback position this week. There are reports of a restructured contract nearing completion. Of course, there was also a Friday report that some 49ers players preferred Christian Ponder to replace Blaine Gabbert. There is no word on who will start on Sunday, but Kaepernick could be an interesting speculative play for the rest of the season if you have a free roster spot. I don’t know how many games he would win the 49ers, but his legs add tremendous fantasy value.
Jeremy Kerley (9 percent owned)
The 49ers passing game has been abysmal, but one bright spot has been Jeremy Kerley. In Week 4, he had six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. In Week 5, he had eight receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. He won’t repeat those numbers every week, but for the time being, he’s got value as a bye-week fill-in, and a flex play in PPR leagues. I don’t know what a potential QB change will mean for him, but for the time being, he has value.
That’s about it from the 49ers perspective. Phil Dawson has some value, but that’s about it. So, time to consider some non-49ers options out there.
Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota, TEN (47 percent owned): Mariota gets Cleveland, Indianapolis and Jacksonville and a road game against the Chargers the next four weeks. There could be serious value there.
Brian Hoyer, CHI (18 percent owned): Hoyer is on a role and there are reports he might be the starter even when Jay Cutler is healthy enough to return. He is a valuable bye-week play, and could be a starter if you are dealing with injuries or ineffectiveness at the position.
Running backs
Jacquizz Rodgers, TB (19 percent owned): Charles Sims has been placed on injured reserve, and Doug Martin is out until at least Week 7. Rodgers dominated the work load, with 30 carries for 101 yards, and five receptions for 28 yards. He’s the guy to get, not Peyton Barber.
Jay Ajayi, MIA (32 percent owned): The Dolphins running back situation is a mess, but Ajayi had 11 more carries than any of their other backs. Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures.
Wide receivers
Sammie Coates, PIT (37 percent owned): He had two touchdowns and 139 yards in Week 5. He’s going to be a boom-or-bust player, but those booms are gonna be huge.
Chris Hogan, NE (25 percent owned): He was a favorite of Tom Brady in the latter’s return to action. I have no idea if it will remain that way, but the very briefly one-time 49er is an interesting speculative play.
Tight ends
Hunter Henry, SD (28 percent owned): He has been solid the last two weeks, with a touchdown in each game, and 137 receiving yards. He loses some value with Antonio Gates returning to the lineup, but he could supplant the veteran eventually.
Jesse James, PIT (23 percent owned): He finally got in the end zone in Week 5. The preseason sleeper has been fairly quiet out of the gates, but maybe this opens things up a bit.