Dynasty Capsule: San Francisco 49ers

Eric Olinger

As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.

Quarterbacks

49ers

Colin Kaepernick

In his first full season as the starter, Kaepernick threw for 3,197 yards, 21 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He also added 524 rushing yards and another four touchdowns. Ironically it wasn’t enough in fantasy land. Expectations were high for the dual threat quarterback.  Maybe too high. Without Michael Crabtree he leaned heavily on Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis, and the run game.

Coach Harbaugh doesn’t give a damn about our fantasy squads after going to three straight NFC title games. Apparently Kaepernick doesn’t either after stating he “purposely runs more in the playoffs”, which means he purposely runs less during the regular season, aka the fantasy season. I would expect his passing stats to increase with a full offensive arsenal next season but our expectations for additional rushing stats should be held in check. Also, look for the 49ers to address his contract this off-season after grossly outperforming his rookie deal.

Colt McCoy

Colt McCoy only attempted one pass last season for the 49ers, a 13 yard completion. Luckily, and thankfully, he never saw the field. Now he’s a free agent and may or may not be brought back to back up Colin Kaepernick. I would expect the 49ers to add a quarterback in the draft this year who resembles Kaepernick’s style of play more closely.

Running backs

Frank Gore

At 30 years of age, Gore recorded his seventh career 1,000 yard season as a 49’er while becoming the team’s all-time leading rusher. He finished the year with 276 carries (third highest total of his career) for 1,128 yards and nine touchdowns. Continuing the somewhat shocking trend, he only recorded 16 receptions (fewest since his rookie season) for 141 yards and zero touchdowns.

Though the team is built around him, he turns 31 years old before next season and has 2,187 career regular season carries on his surgically repaired knees. There is speculation the team could approach him about a pay cut this offseason. Gore has always been a “team guy” but he has been the focal point of this team for so long he deserves the money, but with younger options on the team like Kendall Hunter and second year back Marcus Lattimore, he needs to remember the NFL is a business and not to overvalue himself. History has shown us running backs fall off the cliff quickly and Father Time is undefeated.

Kendall Hunter

Hunter was expected to be more involved in 2013 as Gore’s running mate but he only saw 78 carries for 358 yards and three touchdowns. After three seasons in the league, Hunter hasn’t been able to carve out more of a role than being Frank Gore’s handcuff. With Marcus Lattimore reportedly looking good, it’s fair to wonder if Hunter will ever be anything more than a career backup. He’ll be 26 years old at the beginning of the season and remains worthy of holding in dynasty leagues due to Gore’s age and Lattimore’s injury history.

LaMichael James

A player without a role on this team, James has not been able to translate his collegiate explosiveness to the pro game. Through two seasons he has 39 career carries for 184 yards rushing and zero touchdowns. Now there are whispers the team is looking to move on from James via a trade or outright release. As good as Trent Baalke has been drafting defense and offensive linemen, he has had a rough time identifying offensive skill players. James is another swing and a miss.

Marcus Lattimore

After suffering one of the most horrific knee injuries I’ve ever seen during his senior season, Lattimore was drafted and basically “red-shirted” on Injured Reserve during his rookie season. With a possible changing of the guard in the 49ers backfield, he has a chance to announce his presence with authority this offseason. As Frank Gore has shown, multiple knee injuries in college do not end your career. It appears the team has handled his rehab properly and hopefully it pays off in 2014.

Anthony Dixon

Is he a fullback or is he a halfback? Well, he’s both. Dixon was rumored to be on the chopping block last off-season but played his way into a crowded backfield. Now he’s entering free agency at 26 years old and looking to find an opportunity. He won’t be a coveted free agent as a feature back but teams like the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and New England Patriots could be interested in a bruising runner with just 148 career carries.

Wide Receivers

Michael Crabtree

Michael Crabtree made an impressive return to the field just six months after tearing his Achilles during May’s OTAs. Normally it takes players over a year to return from such an injury. You could tell he wasn’t 100% healthy as he had to develop trust in the surgically repaired tendon, but as the season ended and the playoffs began, he looked better each week.

Now with a full offseason ahead of him to train and strengthen, he will undoubtedly angle for a new contract. He has incredible chemistry with quarterback Colin Kaepernick and it would benefit each other if the team can keep them together. Crabtree has high end WR2 fantasy appeal on a run first team.

Anquan Boldin

The sixth round pick sent to Baltimore for Anquan Boldin quite possibly saved the 49ers season in 2013. He was meant to be a complementary piece of the puzzle, not the focal point, but after Crabtree’s injury he stepped up big time. He finished 2013 with 85 receptions for 1,179 yards and seven touchdowns. The receiving total was his highest in seven years and fourth highest of his 11 year career. Now the team is looking to re-sign him at 33 years old and the interest appears to be mutual. With Crabtree healthy and a returning Vernon Davis, Boldin will have a hard time repeating his 2013 numbers in this offense but remains a solid WR3.

Jon Baldwin

The Chiefs and 49’ers decided to swap first round busts last season when A.J. Jenkins was traded for Jon Baldwin. It’s hard to say anyone won the trade as both players continued their lackluster ways. Baldwin finished the season with just three catches for 28 yards while spending most Sundays on the inactive list. I don’t get it, he was awesome during his college days at Pitt and has impressive size at 6’4”/230 lbs but has never been had the drive to be anything in the pros. I’d love to believe the light will eventually come on for him but it’s just wishful thinking. There are better ways to use a roster spot.

Quinton Patton

If you’re looking for a diamond in the rough in this team’s receiving corps, look no further. Quinton Patton was building momentum throughout last year’s preseason while clicking with Colin Kaepernick. The rookie had six catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason and looked like he was going to be the guy who filled in for the injured Michael Crabtree. Unfortunately he broke his foot in week four and missed the majority of the season. He finished with just three catches for 34 yards and no touchdowns.

If the 49ers don’t add a legit wide receiver this offseason, in the draft or free agency, he has a legitimate shot to develop down the road for patient dynasty owners.

Kassim Osgood

Kassim Osgood is one of the better special teams players in the league but is not a viable receiver. Nothing to see here folks.

Tight End

Vernon Davis

Davis returned to the land of the elite fantasy tight end last year by catching 52 passes for 850 yards and tying his career high with 13 touchdowns. He was a red zone beast and Kaepernick’s security blanket once the team got near the goal line. Touchdowns are always hard to predict from year to year but Davis remains firmly in the top five of dynasty tight ends.

Vance McDonald

McDonald was a draftnik favorite last off-season coming out of Rice because of his size/speed ratio, he’s a big bodied 6’4”/262 pounds. Unfortunately, in this offense the only thing he is asked to do with that big frame is run block. He finished his rookie year with eight catches for 119 yards and zero touchdowns. Unless something happens to Vernon Davis, McDonald has little to no fantasy value.

Garrett Celek

Brent’s little brother will be lucky to see the week one roster in 2014. He’s nothing more than a special teamer and run blocker. Through two NFL seasons he has six career catches and no touchdowns. Even if injuries were to occur he wouldn’t have any value.

eric olinger
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