Last minute fantasy football sit/start advice, projections Week 16: 49ers-Rams

The 49ers and Rams face off in a rare Saturday game in Los Angeles today at 1:25 pm PT. Niners Nation is here to break down the fantasy football implications of the matchup, with sit/start advice, statistical projections from NFL.com, and last minute waiver wire targets at each position.

Quarterbacks

With as poorly as Colin Kaepernick has played recently, he is still the 13th highest scoring fantasy QB over the last 4 weeks - a stretch that includes a 4 point dud in Chicago and a 37 point explosion in Miami. The Rams have allowed the 13th most fantasy points to QB’s, making them a moderately favorable matchup. Colin Kaepernick is a low end start, due to his inconsistent stat lines.

The 49ers are the 3rd most favorable matchup for QB’s, giving Jared Goff his best shot at a viable fantasy stat line this season. Unfortunately Goff hasn’t done enough to this point to be worth considering. Sit Goff.

Need a QB? This is an awful week to hunt the waiver wire for a quarterback. All of the borderline viable QB’s who are Free Agents in over 50% of leagues face terrible matchups (Alex Smith vs DEN, Carson Wentz vs NYG, Joe Flacco vs PIT) leaving Colin Kaepernick as the best widely available option. My condolences.

Projections:
Colin Kaepernick: 194 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 30 rush yards - 14.7 points (28th best QB)
Jared Goff: 178 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 7 rush yards - 11.6 points (32nd QB)

Running Backs

Todd Gurley is projected to be the highest scoring fantasy RB in the NFL this week. If he hits his projection of 17.2 points, it would be his 2nd highest point total all season. Gurley has been a colossal disappointment to all the owners that made him the top RB, and 3rd overall, in Average Draft Position. Gurley is currently ranked 19th among RB’s. The 49ers are allowing the most points to the position, making this a week to start Todd Gurley.

Carlos Hyde has been a reliable fantasy option all season, and ranks 13th at his position. On average he was the 16th RB, and 37th player overall, drafted in fantasy leagues. Hyde is a start this week.

Need a RB? If Melvin Gordon remains sidelined for the Chargers, Kenneth Farrow could put up a good stat line against a Browns D allowing the 2nd most points to RB’s. Farrow is available in 85% of leagues. Dion Lewis of the Patriots is a Free Agent in 75% of leagues. Lewis rushed for 95 yards last week, and seems to be rounding into form.

Projections:
Todd Gurley: 92 yards, 1 TD, 20 receiving yards - 17.2 points (#1 RB)
Carlos Hyde: 64 yards, 1 TD, 14 receiving yards - 13.8 points (10th RB)

Wide Receivers

The Rams and 49ers both offer a Top 5 favorable matchup to the WR position, but neither team has the offensive firepower to make a fantasy impact. Sit all receivers in this game.

Need a WR? It’s not a great week for widely available Free Agents at the WR position. Cameron Meredith is coming off a 100+ yard perfomance, and is available in 90% of leagues. Tedd Ginn, available to 80% of fantasy owners, will play in a track meet against the Falcons.

Projections:
Kenny Britt: 55 yards - 5.5 points (38th WR)
Tevon Austin: 53 yards - 5.3 points (41st WR)
Jeremy Kerley: 42 yards - 4.2 points (62nd WR)
Chris Harper: 35 yards - 3.5 points (76th WR)
Brian Quick: 31 yards - 3.1 point (91st WR)

Tight Ends

Both teams are relatively tough matchups for TE’s, and neither has a player at the position that has made a fantasy impact. Sit all TE’s in this game.

Need a TE? Hunter Henry is the Chargers No. 2 TE, but is 9th at his position in points. He faces the most favorable matchup for TE’s (the Browns) and is available in 82% of leagues.

Projections:
Garrett Celek: 26 yards - 2.6 points (27th TE)
Tyler Higby: 10 yards - 1 point (47th TE)

Kickers

Despite wildly optimistic projections for the week, both kickers in this game rank near the bottom of the NFL in fantasy points. Stay away from both Phil Dawson and Greg Zuerlein.

Need a K? Matt Bryant is the highest scoring fantasy kicker in the NFL, and still available in 45% of fantasy leagues. Matt Prater is Top 5, and available in 80%.

Projections:
Phil Dawson: 12 points (4th K)
Greg Zuerlein: 12 points (6th K)

Defense

Defenses facing the Rams have scored the most fantasy points this season. The 49ers D could be a viable fantasy play this week, but it just isn’t a risk worth taking. Sit the 49ers DEF.

The Rams defense is pretty bad in fantasy terms, ranking 22nd after some belief that they’d be a top unit this season. The Ram DEF is not worth a start, even against the hapless 49ers.

Need a DEF? The Chargers DEF has faltered in recent weeks, but they have chance to put up major points against Browns team allowing the 3rd most points to opposing defenses. The Chargers are available to over 70% of fantasy managers.

Projections:
Rams DEF: 7 points (4th DEF)
49ers DEF: 6 points (5th DEF)