Dynasty Capsule: San Francisco 49ers

Every year we give our premium content members a team-by-team, player-by-player look at the NFL season that was. The coverage will be in-depth, but because the Dynasty Capsule series begins immediately after the season, we won’t use it to discuss free agency or the draft. Come see us in early May once Mr. Irrelevant is off the board for another 32-article series giving you the same detailed discussion you’ll see below.

Buckle up dynasty fans, because you’re about to be reminded why our motto is, “There is no off-season.”

Quarterback

Jimmy Garoppolo

The New England Patriots made one of the more notable trades of the 2017 season, sending quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2018 second-round pick. Garoppolo has been impressive so far the 49ers, leading them to five straight victories to close out the year. He averaged 308.4 yards passing with six touchdowns and five interceptions during that stretch.

His December DLF ADP is 147.0, near where Patrick Mahomes and Mitchell Trubisky are being selected. I like the futures of all three of these young quarterbacks. However, would prefer Garoppolo right now based on what he has shown this season and the fact he is tied with Kyle Shanahan (assuming he re-signs with the 49ers).

Some quarterbacks being taken a few rounds earlier than Garoppolo include Derek Carr, Matt Ryan, and Matthew Stafford. I could envision Garoppolo passing these players over the next couple of seasons if the 49ers are able to add some more talented receivers around him. The hype surrounding him is undoubtedly very high right now, but he could be a nice buy-high target whose value could continue to rise.

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C.J. Beathard

The 49ers selected Beathard in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He started five games and played meaningful snaps in one other for the 49ers during the middle of the season. He averaged 238.33 yards passing in those games and threw four touchdowns and six interceptions. His contract with the 49ers runs through 2020, so it appears Beathard is destined to be Jimmy Garoppolo’s main backup for the foreseeable future. I do not advise targeting him.

Running Back

Carlos Hyde

Will he stay or will he go? Hyde is an unrestricted free agent this off-season and there has been a lot of speculation on whether he will be back with the 49ers next year. In fact, there were even rumors he might be dealt before this season even started. He ended up staying with the team and finally having a healthy season, playing in all 16 games. He rushed for 940 yards and eight touchdowns on the year and added 59 receptions for 350 yards. His rushing efficiency was slightly lower than last year but his receiving totals improved.

His December DLF ADP is 41.50, near Jordan Howard, Derrick Henry, Jay Ajayi and LeSean McCoy. I believe he is appropriately valued right now, so I would hold him anywhere I have him. He could actually be a good buy if his current owners start to worry about which team he might end up with next year. I would like to see him stay in San Francisco, but I believe he can still carve out a solid three-down role somewhere else as well.

Matt Breida

The 49ers signed Matt Breida in 2017 as an undrafted free agent. Not many fantasy football players knew too much about him at the time, but Breida quickly ascended the 49er depth chart and became Carlos Hyde’s backup for a majority of the season. He boasts a fabulous SPARQ-score and workout metrics and has demonstrated great burst on his limited touches. He is an intriguing stash heading into the off-season.

His December DLF ADP was 153.50, near Rex Burkhead, Jamaal Williams, Theo Riddick, and Kenyan Drake. Breida is a risky buy at this point. His value could climb significantly if Carlos Hyde leaves and the 49ers fail to draft a running back in the early rounds of next year’s draft. At the same time, his value could diminish if Hyde returns or the 49ers draft someone like Saquon Barkley. There are just too many variables with his situation at the moment for me to invest in him.

Joe Williams

Joe Williams was San Francisco’s fourth-round selection in the 2017 draft and was a hot commodity during rookie drafts. However, he was unfortunately placed on injured reserve before the season even started. While it might be an uphill battle for him to earn meaningful snaps again, he is still worth a stash on the end of your bench. His December DLF ADP is 204.5, suggesting he should be a very cheap target in most leagues. San Francisco’s offense looked promising with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback, so Williams could provide a great return if he is able to carve out a role in it.

Jeremy McNichols

McNichols was a talented prospect coming out of Boise State, originally selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth-round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He ended up being waived before he could see any regular season action due to issues with the playbook and mistakes on the field. He ended up on the 49ers’ practice squad and eventually made their 53-man roster. Like Joe Williams, McNichols is another player worth stashing on the end of your bench in the hope he somehow carves out a role. I would still prefer Joe Williams over McNichols, but the latter is probably going to be easier to find on waiver wires.

Raheem Mostert

Raheem Mostert was a stellar special-teams player for the 49ers this season before being placed on injured reserve. He is a restricted free agent after this season so it will be interesting to see if the 49ers are able to keep him with their already crowded backfield and incoming rookie class.

Wide Receiver

Marquise Goodwin

After transitioning from Buffalo to San Francisco, Goodwin experienced a breakout season in 2017 and displayed great chemistry with new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He posted career highs in receptions (56) and receiving yards (962), both of which were higher than his career totals entering this season. However, he did this as San Francisco’s main receiver over the last half of the season and is unlikely to keep that role heading into next year.

Goodwin’s contract with the 49ers runs through 2018, but there is a potential out this off-season. It remains to be seen whether the 49ers bring him back, but it might be in their best interest to do so considering the connection he had with Garoppolo. There is also the possibility the 49ers sign or draft a receiver in the off-season as well, so Goodwin’s future role is murky at the moment. Considering his December DLF ADP of 183.50 and the fact he was the 81st receiver off the board, he is a hold for me until we receive some clarity on his situation and role.

Pierre Garcon

Garcon’s 2017 season was cut short after he suffered a season-ending neck injury half-way through the season. Although he did not score any touchdowns, he was on pace for an impressive 80 receptions and 1000 yards. As the 71st receiver off the board according to DLF’s December ADP, he is a clear buy for me. Although he is currently 31 years old, he has the chance to be a solid flex play with the potential to be a “WR2” next season. Even if the 49ers add another receiver in the off-season, Garcon figures to be a solid possession receiver for Garoppolo. I will gladly take him over the six receivers currently ahead of him: Laquon Treadwell, Taywan Taylor, Kenny Stills, Terrelle Pryor, DeSean Jackson, and John Brown.

Trent Taylor

San Francisco drafted Taylor in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft and he was dubbed one of Coach Kyle Shanahan’s “draft crushes.” After Jeremy Kerley was cut, Taylor stepped into the slot role nicely and made steady contributions throughout the year. Along with Goodwin, Taylor displayed a great connection with Jimmy Garoppolo once he took over under center. I like the role Taylor has carved out for himself and am excited to see how he fares next season after an entire off-season to work with Garoppolo (assuming he re-signs with San Francisco).

With a December DLF ADP of 203.25 and the fact he was the 87th receiver off the board, Taylor is another cheap buy for me. Are you noticing a trend with this 49ers group yet? While he probably does not possess a ton of upside, he is one of those solid points-per-reception receivers dynasty owners learn to love having on their benches during bye weeks and in case injuries arise.

Aldrick Robinson

Robinson caught 19 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns this season. Like Goodwin, Robinson’s contract is good through 2018 but there is an out this off-season, so it remains to be seen if he will be changing teams over the summer. Regardless, he does not possess much dynasty value at the moment.

Louis Murphy

At 30 years old, Murphy is a grizzled veteran who has now played for five different teams. He could make it six this summer as he is an unrestricted free agent this off-season. He only caught eight passes all year and does not possess much dynasty value.

Kendrick Bourne

Former Eastern Washington wide receiver Kendrick Bourne went undrafted but was quickly signed by the 49ers. He appeared in 11 games this season, catching 16 passes for 257 yards. His contract with the 49ers is good through 2019 so it appears he will be sticking around for a while. Considering San Francisco’s potential to add some depth to their receiving core this off-season, Bourne can be considered a flier in deep leagues but probably does not possess much value as of now.

Victor Bolden Jr.

Former Oregon State wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr. is another receiver who went undrafted but quickly signed with the 49ers back in April. Like Bourne, his contract runs through 2019. He appeared in nine games this season but did not record a single catch, so it is probably safe to leave him off your radar for now.

Tight End

George Kittle

Kittle looks like the tight end of the future for the 49ers. They selected him in the fifth-round of the of 2017 NFL draft and became enamored with him enough to ship starting tight end Vance McDonald off to the Pittsburgh Steelers before the season began. Kittle is another metrics star and played well during his first season. Rookie tight ends rarely make much of an impact, but Kittle was able to post 43 receptions for 515 yards and two touchdowns. He actually had more catches and yards than Hunter Henry did in his stellar rookie season (36 receptions for 478 yards and eight touchdowns).

Kittle might have flown under-the-radar a bit this season due to this year’s historically great rookie eight end class, but he was one of the more impressive rookie tight ends this season. He ranked second in receptions and yards amongst all rookie tight ends this year.

According to DLF’s December ADP, he is currently the 19th tight end, behind Jonnu Smith, Eric Ebron, and Delanie Walker. I would gladly take Kittle over those last two and probably over Smith as well. He could find himself much higher in the rankings as the 2018 season progresses. As a result, he is one of my favorite buys this off-season.

Garrett Celek

In his sixth year with the 49ers, Celek caught 21 passes for 336 yards and four touchdowns. He does not possess much upside, but would be a solid fill-in tight-end should Kittle ever miss time. His contract with the 49ers runs through 2019.

Logan Paulsen

Paulsen played in 14 games this season but only had two targets all year. He was not much of a factor in the passing game. Even though he is an unrestricted free agent this off-season, he should not be on anyone’s radar at the moment.

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