San Francisco 49ers

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick a Viable Fantasy Football Option Down the Stretch?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has had four-straight games in which he’s demonstrated some real value in fantasy football leagues. Is he worth a pickup to help your team down the stretch?

At the start of 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wouldn’t have been even worth a glimpse for fantasy football owners.

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He wasn’t going to start the season, the Niners offense was going to stink and nobody on the team was worth any looks at all.

Even in deeper leagues.

Through the last four weeks though, Kaepernick might have raised a few eyebrows. Over that stretch, Kap has thrown for a combined 1,110 yards (an average of 277.5 per game), eight touchdowns against two interceptions and also rushed for a net total of 223 yards.

Keep this in mind too — Kaepernick has gone up against some pretty good defenses during that span.

While Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints and their bad defense was a golden opportunity, Kap was decent enough to warrant consideration against the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins in Weeks 10 through 12, respectively.

The last three are pretty good, defensively. And Kap’s numbers should have fantasy football owners thinking, at least.

Fantasy Football Points

San Francisco’s quarterback was tied at No. 1 in total fantasy value at the position last week, with Saints QB Drew Brees, with 32 fantasy points, per ESPN standard scoring. The week before, Kap was No. 9 with 19 points. And he had 23 fantasy points the week before against Arizona.

Oh, and his performance against the Saints earned Kaepernick another 21.

Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks for an open receiver against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Through 12 weeks, Kap is still way down the charts. And this might explain why he’s owned in a mere 22.7 percent of ESPN leagues right now.

This should make him available in most leagues. And if your fantasy football trade deadline hasn’t passed yet, making a move for him shouldn’t cost much.

Remember, fantasy football is all about matchups. Kaepernick will have some favorable ones on the calendar to help get you down the stretch.

A Favorable Fantasy Football Calendar for Colin Kaepernick

Three of the last four teams Kap has played have had above-average defenses. But the 49ers are going to be facing off against not-so-stellar defensive units over the next three weeks.

In Week 13, the Niners square off against the Chicago Bears — No. 18, overall, defensively and also 12th against the pass. Chicago is 30th in defensive takeaways this season, and Kap has done a good job protecting the ball during this recent hot stretch.

Following the Bears game, San Francisco faces the New York Jets. And the Jets have been a disaster, defensively, allowing 2,891 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air.

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The Niners cap off this three-game upcoming stretch with a road contest against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15.

While the first-place Falcons have been on a tear, their defense in the bottom five heading into Week 13’s action. And no team has given up more yards through the air (3,104) than head coach Dan Quinn’s defense.

It makes for an enticing opportunity.

San Francisco finishes the season with a Week 16 road contest against the Los Angeles Rams and at home versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17 (if your league hasn’t wrapped up the year by then).

Both Los Angeles and Seattle have good enough defenses to make you think twice about relying on Kaepernick to steal you a championship.

But adding Kap might help you get there.

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