San Francisco 49ers

Fantasy Football: Week 13 Targets on the 49ers Roster and Beyond

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

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Players on the 49ers, and around the rest of the league, who are fantasy worthy in Week 13 of the 2016 NFL season. The “Startable, Ownable and Eyeable.”

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) applies pressure to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately for me, there wasn’t much to be thankful for this past week, at least not on the digital gridiron anyway.

My plucky little fantasy squad got absolutely annihilated (111.3 to 60.7), and in the process, my dreams of 2016 total fantasy domination were dashed to bits.

Oh well, it’s only about nine months or so until the beginning of next season.

The good news… I was spanked so soundly, there was really no reasonable combination of players I could have fielded that would have returned me a victory.

Yes, had I gone with QB Colin Kaepernick off of the waiver wire instead of Eli Manning, AND benched the target-less Brandin Cooks in favor of the equally unpredictable production of an Emmanuel Sanders, AND started the Baltimore Ravens defense over those lazy fish of Miami, AND rolled with the just-back-from-injury WR Sammy Watkins in the place of alleged lock RB Wendell Smallwood in the flex, AND started RB Jeremy Hill over the previously more productive likes of Frank Gore or Robert Kelley… if I’d done all that, I could have won… by .5 points!

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Dallas won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s face it, it wasn’t my week, nor my year. My first two draft picks were RBs Adrian Peterson and Eddie Lacy. Not exactly a bastion of production in 2016.

Sure, I had some savvy draft day selections too, e.g. RB Frank Gore and QB Andrew Luck, and I played the wire like a Stradivarius when picking up WR Terrell Pryor Sr. and RB Rob Kelley, but it just wasn’t enough. It just wasn’t my year.

Maybe it just wasn’t your year either. Remember, only about one in ten owners can be champions.

No matter. From death comes rebirth, and out of the ashes of this year’s devastation, your visions of future fantasy greatness shall rise like the Phoenix reincarnate. I hoped that colorful metaphor at least makes you feel a bit better as your having to write that check for this year’s league dues.

Besides, I bet most of you losers out there had fun this year. I know this one did. It’s been great hovering over my cell phone these past few month, pining for imaginary points. Moreover, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having one-sided conversations with all of you each week.

And of course, not every owner got swept up in the flotsam. For those vaunted few, the men and women who are playoff bound, first off, let me offer my heartfelt congratulations.

And, not that you need it (clearly), but here are a few hot Week 13 takes straight from the loser’s section, otherwise know as the “Startable, Ownable and Eyeable”.

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) chases San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Startable

QB Colin Kaepernick

He can be taught! At least that’s the impression most of us are left with after watching The Niners over the past few weeks.

As his legs have returned and his comfort with a Chip Kelly-led system has grown, Kap has proven to not only be a viable NFL starter, but a fantasy phenom. His 33.1 points last week led all standard league scorers, and over the past month, only QB Aaron Rodgers has more total points.

Not bad for a guy who began the year holding Blaine Gabbert’s Gatorade.

Sure, Kaepernick is likely to hit a wall at some point. However, it probably won’t be this week. He’s got the wind at his back and the Windy City in his sight.

If you’re eying your matchup this week and thinking you could use some extra juice to put you over the top, Kap might be just be made to order. He’s likely to go for “250 and two,” and with his recent average of around 60 yards on the ground, he has a very nice floor.

Other Startable talent at quarterback that might still be available on the wire in Week 13 includes:

QB Matthew Stafford (DET)

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of a NFL game on Thanksgiving against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans. Detroit. Pass, pass, pass. And when that’s done, they’ll pass some more.

The Saints at least have some semblance of a run game, and they will attempt to assert themselves on the ground, be sure. But the Lions best running back is Theo Riddick, and his calling card is his pass catching ability.

The Lions have been pass happy as it is, throwing the ball just under 40 times per game over the past month. Pit them against the No. 27 ranked pass defense, and I’m thinking pass, pass, and yes… pass.

QB Alex Smith (KC)

Nov 20, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium. Tampa Bay won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to square off against the league’s top-ranked offense this week in the Atlanta Falcons. That’s good news.

The Falcons have the No. 32 (yes, that’s right, dead last) ranked pass defense. Even better news.

And while Atlanta is terrible against the pass, they’re actually decent run stoppers (No. 10 overall). The best news of all. That is, if you’re contemplating starting Alex Smith.

If the Chiefs stand a chance in this game (and their record certainly suggests they do), they will need to score at least 28 points. And the way they’re going to do it is through the air, with Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and any other receiving threat they can muster.

Oh yeah, and Smith will need to channel his inner Joe Montana. But, hey… stranger things have happened, and Smith definitely spent enough time in the Bay for a little Montana magic to have rubbed off, right?

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Neville Hewitt (46) tackles San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Startable Cont.

TE Vance McDonald

Well, it was in his hands. Then it went right through his hands. But for a split second, Vance McDonald had his third touchdown in four weeks right there in his over-sized mitts.

Of course, there’s a big difference between having a fish on the line and getting one into the boat. Nonetheless, “V McD” has now averaged four receptions and 60 yards since the Niner’s Week 8 bye.

With TE Rob Gronkowski down for the count and Delanie Walker out on what feels like an exceedingly late Week 13 bye, it might just be time to plug McDonald into your lineup. He’s getting a reasonable target share, and many of his targets are deeper that his counterparts. For example, over the past four games, McDonald has averaged 16 plus yards per reception, whereas, another popular Gronk replacement, C.J. Fiedorowicz, is averaging just over ten.

Other Startable tight ends who might still be available on the wire in Week 13 include:

TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU)

Look, just because I like Vance McDonald slightly better than Fiedorowicz doesn’t mean he’s not a decent option for those in need of tight end assistance. Averaging a cool seven targets over the past five tilts, C.J. is a viable option in a post-Gronk world.

TE Vernon Davis (WAS)

Oct 30, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis (85) carries the ball on a 44-yard reception in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals during game 17 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not just Gronk who’s been bitten by the injury bug. Washington Redskins TE Jordan Reed, a perpetual gurney rider in his own right, will once again be watching this week’s action from the sidelines.

The Redskins offense is rolling right now, and with Reed offline, Davis is the No. 1 option for the over-the-middle stuff (that’s a technical football term, by the way). And who has more experience attacking the Arizona Cardinals defense than this ten year vet?

TE Eric Ebron (DET)

Ebron has always been hovering at the bottom of TE1 territory. And it’s performances like the one that he carded two weeks ago against the Jaguars (70 yards and a touchdown), that justify that sort of thinking.

Of course, he followed that performance up with a zero last week against Minnesota, dropping his only target.

But this week, facing the magnanimous New Orleans Saints defense, highlights should abound, and Ebron, despite last week’s goose egg, is likely to be involved.

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches a pass for a touch down against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Ownable

WR Torrey Smith

As “predicted” in this very column, Smith came through last week, scoring his first touchdown since Week 6.

Of course, this prediction was really nothing more than a guess. But since we’re rolling, here’s another one: Smith scores again this week. And unlike last week’s score, that was only a one-yarder, this week will produce a more typical Smithian score, i.e. a fifty plus harder.

If I’m right, Smith makes for a great flex play and a bargain in daily leagues.

Other Ownable wide receivers who might still be on the waiver wire for Week 13 include:

WR Tyreek Hill (KC)

Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) tackles Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Chiefs won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned previously, the Chiefs will likely have to throw in order to keep pace with the high-flying Atlanta Falcons. With WR Jeremy Maclin being virtually as effective whether or not he takes the field this season, Hill has become the “go to” option in KC.

Fast, shifty, and with a nose for the end zone, Hill makes for a smart start this week against a beatable Atlanta secondary.

WR Quincy Enuwa (NYJ)

Enuwa is having a breakout season. With 43 receptions for 643 yards and four touchdowns to date, he’s asserted himself as a legitimate threat in the Jets offense.

This week, Enuwa draws the pillow-soft coverage of the Indianapolis Colts, making for an extra dreamy primetime matchup on Monday night. I

f you are looking to bolster your receiving corps this week, add a little QE into your life. Hey, it worked for the Federal Reserve.

WR Malcolm Mitchell (NE)

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (19) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of breakouts, New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell has made his mark of late.

The 2016 fourth-rounder has scored three times in the past two games, while racking up a cool 140 yards in the process.

I know I keep pounding the table about the absence of TE Rob Gronkowski, but he really does leave a gaping hole that needs to be filled, not just in the form of targets within the Patriots offensive scheme, but in fantasy football leagues everywhere.

Mitchell is proving to be part of the solution, and will look to contribute again this week as the Pats play host to the visiting Los Angeles Rams.

Besides, I’m starting him this week… so, what more do you really need to know?

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (17) makes a catch in front of Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Eyeable

As noted last week, I can’t imagine who an owner might be eyeing this late in the season on a 49ers roster that’s frighteningly short on offensive firepower.