San Francisco 49ers

Fantasy Football: Week 14 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 14 of the 2016 NFL season. The “Startable, Ownable and Eyeable.”

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fans celebrate after a 49ers score against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

A tragedy was narrowly averted this past Monday evening.

As mentioned in last week’s column, I will not be playing in my league’s fantasy playoffs this year. After sustaining two losses over the course of this season by a combined margin of less than two points, I find myself with a 5-8 record, and nothing left to do except to send my league manager a $200 check.

But would you believe, I actually had to come to that realization twice. Once at the beginning of the weekend, and once again on Tuesday. Let me expound.

Heading into last weekend’s action, my team, then 5-7, was in eight place. And although there were three other teams at 5-7, as well as an additional two at 6-6, a victory was at best going to earn me a tie.

Like most leagues, our tiebreaker is “aggregate points for,” and my team had not delivered enough in the way of points this year in order to best my neighboring teams. In fact, there was only one team among the four with which I was wrangling that had scored fewer points over the season than mine.

So, instead of sulking, I figured I’d have a little fun. You know, start a few guys I normally otherwise wouldn’t, just to keep my interest (and my spirits) up. Here’s what went down.

Nov 27, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) walks off the field and reacts to a win after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at New Era Field. Buffalo defeated Jacksonville 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

I played Kaepernick over Luck. I benched WR Emmanuel Sanders and RB Robert Kelley, opting instead for RB Jeremy Hill and New England’s upstart WR Malcolm Mitchell. I even plugged in WR Sammy Watkins who I’d only picked up off the scrap heap a week prior.

It was a “just for fun” week, not that they aren’t all supposed to be.

Of course, my squad got obliterated. The Kaepernick start was enough to sink any team (2.2 points), while Sammy “Turn Down for Wat”-kins posted a modest 3.8. I ended up carding a meager 74 (gag); my opponent? 96.4. A differential of twenty-two and change. A sound drubbing.

Oh well. I really didn’t think much more about it. I wasn’t playing for anything, and was thus pretty blasé about it all.

Like most normal human beings, once I’ve lost, my interest level in the rest of the week’s actions is severely diluted. Nonetheless, mid-way through the Monday night action, I was sitting around (probably on the porcelain throne) with nothing better to do, so I decided to take a quick peek at the league-wide scoreboard.

All of a sudden, my jaw almost hit the floor, which is doubly bad when you’re sitting on the toilet. I’d miscalculated the number of teams I could leapfrog, if everything fell into place. And everything was fricking falling into place.

All of the teams I need to lose had lost, and the only matchup still going was between two of the 5-7 teams. And guess which one was closing in on a victory, trailing 115 to 115.2, with WR Brandon Marshall still in play. Yeah, that’s right. The one with fewer “aggregate points for” than me.

Are you kidding me?! I was shocked and chagrined. I was mortified and stupefied. How could this have happened? Am I really that dumb?

Yes. Yes, I am that dumb. “Double turd! I’m going to miss the playoffs because I can’t do third grade math,” I thought.

This was bad. This was not the traditional sort of stupidity. No, this was managerial dumbness taken to the next level. Not only was I thickheaded enough to botch my evaluation of the leader board, but I then tempted fate further by starting a gag lineup. Had I simply stuck with Luck alone, I would have won and been on my way to locking up the sixth seed.

Shoot me in the face!

And then, just when I thought I might have to hang up my imaginary cleats for good, something joyous happened. A backhanded pre-Christmas miracle.

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Marshall got blanked for the final six minutes plus of the game, and the contest in question concluded with the exact same tally as when I’d first logged on, 115-115.2.

And that, friends, is how I “won” by .2 points last week, despite actually losing. And with my fantasy integrity intact. Battered and bruised, but still intact. Man, was that close.

It just goes to show that, even when you think you’re hopelessly out of it, you shouldn’t taunt the fantasy football gods. Cuz you may just be that stupid to have overlooked the obvious, and find yourself a couple of Brandon Marshall first downs away from total fantasy ruination.

You’ve been warned.

And now, for all the non-stupid (or just adept) among us, here are this week’s Startable, Ownable and Eyeable. Handle with care.

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) puts pressure on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Startable

QB Colin Kaepernick

Wait a minute! I thought you just spent the last several hundred words admonishing yourself for starting this bum last week. That’s right; I did.

But, I was disgusted with myself because I had a much better, and by better I mean consistently good, option on my bench in the form of Andrew Luck.

If you’re looking to Colin to Kap-tain your fantasy team this week, you don’t have Andrew Luck. And, if you do, lord help you, because you’re neck-deep in a swamp of fantasy football heresy from which few people have ever resurfaced.

But, if, for whatever reason, you’re in need of a streamer this week, I still like Kaepernick. He’ll be back on his home turf, where despite a week full of wet weather, nary a snowflake will fall. And the Jets are almost as soggy when it comes to playing defense as the 49ers.

As I was almost so painfully made aware, Andrew Luck had an absolute field day with them on Monday Night Football, racking up 278 yards and four (yes, count’em, four) touchdowns.

As suspect as it is to trust Kap in the fantasy playoffs, he’s probably still one of the better streaming options available on waiver wires everywhere.

I’m envisioning 250 yards and two touchdowns, accompanied by 50 yards on the ground or so, which would translate to 23 points in standard leagues.

Nothing bankable here. But, remember, over the past month or so, it’s last week’s dud that’s the anomaly, not the other way around.

Other Startable QB talent this week includes:

QB Andrew Luck

Dec 5, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) drops back to pass during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Call it post-traumatic stress disorder. Call it a man crush. Call it whatever you must. But I’m starting Andrew Luck this week come Hell or high water.

Back at full strength following his Week 12 concussion, Luck posted 29 points versus the floundering Jets on Monday Night Football. And although this week’s opponent, the Houston Texans, are leading the AFC South, they’re nothing special.

Luck had 23 on the road against the Texans in Week 6. He should do just a well or better at home, with the season on the line for the Colts.

QB Kirk Cousins

Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past several weeks, few have been better than Cousins. Averaging 22.5 fantasy points since his Week 9 bye, he’s been a reliable option at the quarterback position.

This week’s opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles, are on a serious backslide. After beginning the season hot, they have dropped five of the past six. And their once vaunted running game: just over 130 yards over the past two weeks.

Cousins is catching the Eagles at the right time. Look for him to push past his 16 point showing from last week with a big time rebound performance.

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (right) and 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (left) wait near the line of scrimmage during the second half against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Startable Cont.

TE Vance McDonald

The New York Jets have a schizophrenic defense: great against the run, terrible against the pass. Ranked No. 4 and No. 24, respectively, the last few drafts have paid off for the Jets when it comes to stymying other squads on the ground. The same cannot be said about their secondary.

The 49ers, on the other hand, can do one thing reasonably well on offense. Run the ball. Also, ranked No. 4 for their work on the ground, the Niners will undoubtedly try to test the Jets front seven.

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Who the heck knows?

But, if the 49ers are going to have success on Sunday, it’s much more likely to happen through the air.

Just look at the Colts last week. Andrew Luck: 278 yards and four touchdowns. Frank Gore: 79 yards on twenty attempts, for a 3.95 average yards per carry.

And who caught three of Luck’s four touchdowns last week? Why, TE Dwayne Allen. Who else?

Let’s hope the 49ers are at least astute enough to watch a little tape this week. Assuming they are, the inarguable conclusion must be that the Jets are susceptible through the air, and that their number one target should be Vance McDonald.

I’m looking for at least 50 yards and a score this week. That’s good enough for a start.

Other Startable TE talent this week includes:

TE Tyler Eifert

Oct 30, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) catches a 15 yard pass for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Washington Redskins at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

Since returning from the injury that sidelined him for the first half of 2016, Eifert has been one of the league’s more productive tight ends.

Over the last five weeks, Eifert has averaged just under 10 points per contest.

With A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard both out of the lineup indefinitely, Eifert headlines a Cincinnati offense with few other viable options.

Look for him to feast on the cellar-dwelling Cleveland Browns this Sunday.

TE Greg Olsen

Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) is caught by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Chiefs won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

On the surface, it seems ridiculous to have to mention Greg Olsen. Of course you’re starting him.

Here’s another hot take: start Aaron Rodgers.

However, as those who own him are likely all too aware, Olsen’s productivity has cratered recently.

Averaging just over three points per game during the past four weeks, many owners might be considering putting him on the shelf.

I’m here to suggest that Olsen will get his against San Diego this upcoming Sunday. Ranked No. 27 against the pass, the Bolts are far from lords of the sky.

Tampa Bay’s Cameron Brate (another great start this Sunday) had a very solid start against San Diego last week, with 86 yards and a score. Look for similar or better numbers out of Olsen.

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Ownable

RB Carlos Hyde

Hyde is likely startable this week.

He’s been a very consistent performer this season (when healthy), coming through with decent performances even against tougher opponents. With 115 points in just ten starts, he’s been a borderline RB1.

However, after Kaepernick’s blatant flop last week, the Jets are going to stack the box against Hyde in an attempt to force the Niners to go airborne.

With Williams, Wilkerson, and the rest of the non-“W” defenders bearing down on the line of scrimmage, I see Hyde struggling. Especially in soggy conditions, where his jump cuts might turn into an impromptu rendition of The Electric Slide.

Despite his consistency, Hyde is just Ownable for me this week.

Other Ownable RB talent this week includes:

RB Todd Gurley

Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) carries the ball past past Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) in the second half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Many owners may have benched Gurley weeks ago. Heck, some may have even dropped him.

If the season were to end today, he might rank as the biggest disappointment of the 2016 draft.

However, he also might be a sneaky start in Week 14. He faces an Atlanta Falcons defense that has been very mediocre versus tailbacks this year (ranked No. 15 and yielding over 100 yards per contest).

With the promising, but ultra-green, Jared Goff at quarterback, the Rams are likely to lean heavily on Gurley to control the clock and keep the powerhouse Falcons offense off the gridiron.

Gurley will get the work this week. No doubt. And given the opponent, he should also get some glory.

RB Matt Asiata

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (44) celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Asiata is a plodder. There’s no way around it.

However, he’s also the lead running back for the team facing the Jacksonville Jaguars this week, a squad that is surrendering over 115 yards on the ground.

Asiata’s counterpart, RB Jerick McKinnon, has been showing a bit more life of late, scoring for the second time this season in Week 13.

But that shouldn’t worry Asiata owners. He’s still the team’s primary goal line back, scoring on red zone runs in three of the past four weeks.

If you’ve got Asiata on your bench, you may want to think about pushing him into your flex spot this week. And if he’s still on your waiver wire, snatch him up like street corner furniture.

Running against the No. 26 ranked Jacksonville defense, Asiata’s chances are good of posting decent RB2 numbers this week.

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chris Harper (14) looks on from the sideline during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Eyeable

If you’ve been reading this column over the past several weeks, you know that I’ve struggled mightily identifying eyeable talent on the 49ers roster.

I mean with only five completions and 147 yards of total offense versus Chicago, how could anyone even be remotely inspired