Fantasy football projections, start/sit advice, Week 6: 49ers vs. Bills

The San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills kick off at 10:00 am PT. Niners Nation is here to break down the fantasy implications of the matchup.

Quarterbacks

There is no bigger question for the 49ers the rest of this season than Colin Kaepernick. No one truly knows what Kaepernick will do Sunday. The last time Kaepernick started a regular season game, nearly a full year ago, he was a hot mess. Only a truly brave soul would start him, especially against a Bills defense allowing allowing the 3rd least fantasy points to QB’s. Sit Kaepernick.

If you have a roster spot to spare though, Kaepernick is well worth stashing away for a few weeks. He’s currently owned in less than 3% of fantasy leagues.

Tyrod Taylor has consistently been a low-end fantasy starter this season. The 49ers are a middle-of-the-pack fantasy matchup for QB’s. Despite bullish scoring projections, Taylor is a viable start, but not great. There are likely better options on the waiver wire. Unless you are in a deep league, sit Tyrod Taylor.

NFL.com projections:
Tyrod Taylor: 217 pass yards, 1 TD, 39 rush yards, 1 TD - 24.75 points (2nd highest scoring QB)
Colin Kaepernick: 219 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 24 rush yards - 13.35 points (28th QB)

Need a QB? Alex Smith faces a Raiders defense allowing the 3rd most points to QB’s, and should be good for 20+ points. If you’re brave/desperate, Brian Hoyer has put up 23+ fantasy points in every start this season, and faces the 7th worst fantasy defense in Jacksonville.

Wide Receivers

Fantasy scoring algorithms really hate the wide receivers in the game, ranking none higher than 57th. Much of the 49ers production depends on the performance of a QB that has not seen meaningful action in nearly a full year. For now, sit all 49ers WR’s. Torrey Smith and Jeremy Kerley may be good options down the road, but don’t trust the 49ers passing game until you see results.

The 49ers are a middle of the pack defense against WR, allowing the 15th most fantasy points. With Sammy Watkins on IR, the Bills don’t really have a go-to receiver. While someone will likely see an uptick in production, for now sit all Bills WR’s.

NFL.com projections
Jermey Kerley: 57 yards - 5.7 points (59th WR)
Robert Woods: 46 yards - 4.6 points (71 WR)
Justin Hunter: 38 yards - 3.8 yards (79th WR)
Marquise Goodwin: 35 yards - 3.5 points (81st WR)
Quinton Patton: 32 yards - 3.2 points (92nd WR)
Torrey Smith: 30 yards - 3 points (96th WR)

Need a WR? Snatch up Steelers WR Sammy Coates while you still can! Coates put up nearly 30 points in Week 5, and now faces Miami’s 4th worst defense vs WR’s. He’s still available in 55% of leagues.

Running Backs

Start Carlos Hyde and LeSean McCoy. Both should be considered locks to start every single week, regardless of matchup. It shouldn’t be a decision making factor, but the 49ers have given up the 7th most points to RB’s, and the Bills 14th.

NFL.com projections:
LeSean McCoy: 85 rush yards, 1 TD, 21 receiving - 16.6 points (5th RB)
Carlos Hyde: 68 rush yards, 1 TD, 14 receiving - 14.2 (11th RB)

Need a RB? Panthers RB Cameron Artis-Payne had 20+ points in Week 5, and now faces a Saints defense allowing the most points to RB’s this season. He’s available in 94% of leagues.

Tight Ends

Charles Clay has yet to top 7.3 fantasy points in a game, and hasn’t reached the end zone once. He’s probably a borderline fantasy starter, but with the Bills passing game lacking weapons, Clay may score this week. Start Charles Clay.

The 49ers TE’s aren’t very good, and are facing a Bills defense allowing the 6th lowest point total to TE’s this season. Sit Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek.

NFL.com projections:
Charles Clay (Questionable): 33 yards - 3.3 points (26th TE)
Vance McDonald (Probable): 22 yards - 2.2 points (34th TE)
Garrett Celek: 18 yards - 1.8 points (38th TE)

Need a TE? Not a great week on the waiver wire for TE’s, but Steelers TE Jesse James has a favorable matchup against the Dolphins, and has been a consistent low-end starter. He’s available in 80% of leagues.

Defense

Defenses facing the 49ers have scored the 14th most fantasy points. The switch to Colin Kaepernick may completely shake that ranking up, but Buffalo has the 2nd highest scoring fantasy Defense. Start the Bills D.

The 49ers D is not good, and the Bills are the 7th worst matchup to have. Not a good week, sit the 49ers D.

NFL.com projections:
49ers: 4 points (17th D)
Bills: 4 points (18th D)

Need a Defense? Defenses facing the Rams have scored the 3rd most fantasy points, making an unimpressive Lions D, available in 97% of leagues, a good 1 Week filler option.

Kickers

The Bills and 49ers are both a good matchup for kickers. Start Dan Carpenter. Phil Dawson is tempting, but until the 49ers offense starts to click, start someone more reliable. Sit Dawson.

NFL.com projections:
Dan Carpenter: 12 points (3rd K)
Phil Dawson: 4 points (23rd K)

Need a Kicker? Nick Novak is available in 92% of leagues. He’s the 8th best kicker, facing the 3rd worst Colts D.