San Francisco 49ers

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 1: QB Blaine Gabbert

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

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If you need a flyer at quarterback in Week 1 for fantasy football, should that be 49ers starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert?

As the San Francisco 49ers prepare for their regular-season opener at home against the visiting Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Blaine Gabbert will be their starting quarterback. For fantasy football owners hoping Gabbert can develop into a hidden gem one week into the season, you’ll be in for a rude awakening.

To describe Gabbert in one word would be to say mediocre. He’s been on several teams so far in his five-year career in the NFL. So far in his career, Gabbert has totaled 6,426 passing yards, 595 completions, 33 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions.

Make no mistake about it, to start Gabbert in fantasy football for Week 1 would be a terrible mistake. Not only will the Rams come out the gates red hot inspired by their recent offseason move to the City of Angels, but they will want to win their first official game after relocating.

Gabbert will be facing a very tough defense that will want to shine in their regular season debut. Emotions will be high for a Rams team that over the years, has yet to find their identity. To think just because the 49ers acquired a new head coach in Chip Kelly doesn’t necessarily mean he will turn this team into an offensive juggernaut in such a short amount of time.

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While the 49ers’ offense will be improved, Gabbert simply won’t be able to handle the speedy blitzes or complex defensive schemes that await him. Rams’ defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will undoubtedly make an example out of Gabbert and capitalize on his mistakes splendidly. With no solid weapons in the receiving corps, Gabbert will be in for a long evening as he does his best with subpar talent around him.

Fantasy owners would be best advised to not only sit Gabbert in Week 1 against the Rams but probably stay away from him for the first few weeks of the fantasy season.

With other options at quarterback in Colin Kaepernick and even Christian Ponder, Gabbert will more than likely be on a very short leash. If he starts to play horribly, expect to see Kelly make the switch to Kaepernick since he would actually be a better fit for his high-octane offense.

Overall, it’s in the best interest of fantasy owners everywhere to highly consider sitting Gabbert in Week 1 as he’s probably not going to like what the Rams have waiting for him. If you have any dreams of him being some super fantasy sleeper quarterback, remember that the past two years with the 49ers, Gabbert has totaled just 2,069 passing yards, 181 completions, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Don’t expect any major results from him in Week 1 as reality will sink in that he’s on a very bad football team with no major weapons around him to keep those chains moving.

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