The 49ers are entering the 2014-2015 NFL season coming off an impressive 12-4 season and will look to recreate similar success with their current roster. Although the team had an ample amount of success on both sides of the ball last year there were still times during the fantasy football season where owners had difficulties finding consistent point contributors on the offensive side of the ball. Colin Kaepernick is the name that most likely comes to mind for the owners who spent an early round pick on him which ultimately resulted in below average production within fantasy football leagues. However, heading into the 2014-2015 fantasy football season drafts owners should be more comfortable and willing to take Kaepernick early in their drafts once again as he is now surrounded by more talent and has an even bigger chip on his shoulder to have a breakout season. Below are predictions and inside viewpoints at each offensive position and the entire defensive/special teams unit that will be available on the board during your fantasy league's draft day this upcoming season.
Colin Kaepernick (QB):
2013 Stats:
CMP/ATT YDS TD INT RUSH YDS TD ESPN PTS
243/416 3197 21 8 92 524 4 253
2014 Projections:
CMP/ATT YDS TD INT RUSH YDS TD ESPN PTS
268/458 3575 26 9 85 505 5 280-300
Colin Kaepernick (#7)Colin Kaepernick may have struggled a bit last season but he was still able to register above average statistics at the quarterback position. According to ESPN Fantasy Football Kaepernick had the ninth most points of all quarterbacks in the league and barely ranked below Russell Wilson in the eighth spot by three points. Having just recently signed a six year extension this offseason that could end up being worth $126 million Kaepernick has all the pressure on him to succeed and his play will directly affect how much of the $126 million he receives down the road. The 49ers structured his new contract based off of how Kaepernick plays these next few seasons and although Kaepernick has shown that money isn't above winning, there are certainly added factors to his ambition of leading the 49ers back to the super bowl in 2015.
My projections for Kaepernick's 2014-2015 season are obviously higher than last season, and although they may seem a bit optimistic, they are definitely obtainable for the 49ers promising quarterback. One key factor to the high predictions is that Michael Crabtree should be healthy week one in Dallas and the simple fact that Kaepernick will have his favorite target to throw to finally for a full season can only cause many to imagine the success that will be created with the two together. He will also be surrounded by more talent than he had last year as the 49ers have addressed the wide receiver position in the offseason trading for Stevie Johnson and selecting speedster Bruce Ellington in the NFL Draft. Although Ellington may not have much of an impact on offense during his rookie season Stevie Johnson can become an immediate contributor and key target for Kaepernick as Johnson leaves the Bills after having three 1,000 yard seasons with 23 total touchdowns from 2010-2012. The 49ers have addressed the aspect of their offense that was nonexistent during the 2013 regular season and playoffs which should lead to Kaepernick having a breakout year that many football fans have been eager to see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIIrZ5zPjPU
Frank Gore (RB):
2013 Stats:
RUSH YDS TD REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
276 1128 9 16 141 0 166
2014 Projections:
RUSH YDS TD REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
254 957 8 10 77 1 140-150
Frank Gore (#21)Frank Gore has consistently been one of the most reliable options at the running back position in fantasy football as he has had 1,000 plus yards rushing in eight seasons out of his 10 year career. Given these impressive statistic it is hard to bet against Gore heading into the 2014 NFL season, but the fact of the matter is that Gore isn't getting any younger. He will be 31 years old at the start of the season and as history shows only 23 times has an NFL player been able to rush for over 1,000 yards at the age of 31 or older. With this said Frank Gore is certainly capable of being the 24th case of history being changed as he certainly did not show any signs of slowing down last season even though many people may have expected him to do so.
The only reason I have Gore's statistics lower than what he was able to do last season is that Marcus Lattimore is now healthy and the 49ers have also added rookie Carlos Hyde to the picture. Both running backs are still very young and may need more time to develop but I can definitely see Lattimore or Hyde getting anywhere between 50 to 80 careers this upcoming season in order to take the full workload off of Gore and to establish the prospects as the difference makers that they both were in college. There is no lack of faith in Gore as he still has the ability to do what he has for so many years for the 49ers, but with the addition of more running backs to the team there can only be speculation that Jim Harbaugh will begin to move towards a shared role at the position beginning this upcoming season.
Kendall Hunter (RB):
2013 Stats:
RUSH YDS TD REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
78 358 3 2 13 0 46
2014 Projections:
RUSH YDS TD REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
60 276 2 4 34 0 30-40
Kendall Hunter (#32)Kendall Hunter still sits behind Frank Gore on the depth chart and should be pushed as the backup this offseason with the emergence of healthy Marcus Lattimore and the addition of Carlos Hyde. Lattimore has the best chance of passing up Hunter for the second string role and although Hunter has been a productive offensive weapon for the 49ers, Lattimore appears to be the path that the organization is leaning more towards. Hunter enters the 2014-2015 NFL season on the final year of his contract and although the 49ers may look to resign him I would not be surprised to see more teams offer him generous deals to play elsewhere as a starter. He certainly has the capability to become a starter in the league, but the likelihood of that being with the 49ers is slim as Lattimore and Hyde appear to be the future of the franchise at the position.
Ultimately Hunter should still see a lot of carries this upcoming season and is definitely the most experienced backup at the position. However, there will definitely be pressure on him to make the most of those carries as Lattimore and Hyde will be eagerly waiting in the shadows for their chance to shine.
Sleepers at RB:
Marcus Lattimore (#38) Carlos Hyde (#28)Both young running backs offer the 49ers different skill sets to the run game that should have running backs coach Tom Rathman and the entire coaching staff optimistic for the future. However, the 49ers may not have to wait for the future as there is anticipation that both Marcus Lattimore and Carlos Hyde will see the field this upcoming season. The amount of carries each receives is difficult to predict at the moment, but the amount of talent that each running back possesses can easily translate to an NFL offense if they live up to their potential.
The 49ers have immense talent throughout their running back depth chart which makes preseason predictions tough, but recent reports have shown that each running back will have an opportunity to prove themselves this offseason in order to share carries with Frank Gore beginning week one in Dallas. Depending on how the running back situation plays out, both Lattimore and Hyde could potentially develop into sleepers and solid bench options in deeper fantasy leagues as I predict the player that is chosen to be higher in the depth chart to receive anywhere from 50 to 80 carries next season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5br1AtXCuA
Michael Crabtree (WR):
2013 Stats:
REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
19 284 1 32
2014 Projections:
REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
81 979 6 135-145
Michael Crabtree (#15)Michael Crabtree was limited to play in merely eight total games, including three playoff games, this past season after suffering a torn achilles during the 2013 offseason on May 21st. Ever since Colin Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith as the 49ers starting quarterback there has been an established connection with Crabtree that has been difficult to ignore. Although Boldin was the main target through the air this past season, there is definitely a special bond between Kaepernick and Crabtree when the two are on the field together. In 2012 when Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith during week 10 against the Rams, Crabtree was responsible for 32.9 percent of all targeted passes throughout the season from Kaepernick and ultimately finished the year with career best statistics (85 receptions for 1,105 receiving yards and nine touchdowns).
Another thing to consider about Crabtree is that many of his teammates have reportedly stated this offseason that the star receiver was never fully healthy last season even while he was on the field. It was quite nerve-racking for 49ers fans to see Crabtree return to the field this past season as early as he did due to the worries of how he would return coming off of such a serious injury and setback. Although he was able to return to his 2012 form at times there were undoubtedly moments this past season where Crabtree lacked the ability to gain an extra step on defenders and display the playmaking skills that he is certainly capable of. If both players are able to stay healthy in 2014, it should be very interesting to watch Kaepernick and Crabtree finally have a full season together especially with the additions of extra talent that now surround both at the wide receiver position.
Anquan Boldin (WR):
2013 Stats:
REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
85 1179 7 153
2014 Projections:
REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
71 784 5 120-130
Anquan Boldin (#81)Anquan Boldin was one of the biggest offseason acquisitions and steals of the 2013 offseason when Jim Harbaugh exchanged a sixth-round draft pick with his brother for Boldin who ultimately became the 49ers number one target last season. Boldin had one of the best seasons of his entire career in 2013 as he had his first 1,000 plus season since 2009 as well as adding seven touchdowns coming in second on the team behind Vernon Davis (13 TDs). After the injury of Michael Crabtree in the offseason Boldin was forced into the number one receiver role for the 49ers and he took full advantage of the situation.
After signing a five-year deal that can be voided after two seasons, Boldin will look to be the same consistent target for Colin Kaepernick this upcoming season. However, he certainly won't be forced and expected to have the same production as he did last season with Crabtree returning to full health as well as the additions to the team that Kaepernick will have the opportunity to thrive from in 2014. Anquan Boldin will turn 34 years old on October 3rd and represents a similar situation to Frank Gore as he is not getting any younger but still shows few indications that his playmaking abilities are diminishing. Boldin gives the 49ers a veteran presence to mentor the younger receivers on the roster like Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington and will be a key piece to creating a potentially exciting receiving tandem in the NFL next season with a healthy Michael Crabtree lining up across from him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mODL8ESZerM
Stevie Johnson (WR):
2013 Stats (Bills):
REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
52 597 3 73
2014 Projections:
REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
67 645 3 80-90
Stevie Johnson (#13)Stevie Johnson has been the heart and soul of the Buffalo Bills passing game since 2010 and he now joins the 49ers as the number three receiver on the depth chart which is a demotion he should have no problem with. Although he may not be the number one target for Colin Kaepernick this upcoming season he will definitely get his chances to shine and show the athleticism that he is capable of displaying on Sundays. After posting three consecutive seasons with 1,000 plus yards receiving from 2010-2012, Stevie Johnson joins a deeper offensive unit and more importantly upgrading at the quarterback position. Another thing to consider as Johnson now enters the NFC West is his past success against the Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman. Not many receivers in the NFL can say that they have favorable numbers against the top cornerback in the league, but Johnson differs from this group as he has only played against the Seahawks once but in that meeting he was able to gain 115 yards receiving and scored a touchdown where he was able to beat Sherman on a corner route.
Fantasy football owners should not rely on Johnson to be a number one receiver in 2014-2015, but he can definitely be a mid to late round pick who should see plenty of targets from Colin Kaepernick next season. With the help of Vernon Davis, Crabtree, Boldin, and Patton there is no doubt that Johnson's statement of; "Right now, we're all ones," , should be doubted.
Vernon Davis (TE):
2013 Stats:
REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
52 850 13 156
2014 Projections:
REC YDS TD ESPN PTS
64 879 8 145-155
Vernon Davis (#85)Vernon Davis has made some headlines this offseason as he is currently planning on holding out when training camp begins for the 49ers on July 23rd. Although Davis signed a five-year $37 million dollar contract extension in 2010 he still believes that he deserves a better contract due to "playing at a higher level". It is unlikely that Vernon gets his way in this situation as the 49ers simply cannot afford to give him the money that he wants when it is an unnecessary action with Davis still under contract. However, the most important outcome of all of this is that Vernon returns to camp as a happy member of the 49ers who is ready to compete this upcoming season. Davis has cemented himself as one of the top tight ends in the NFL over his career and definitely added some credibility to such accolades after an 850 yard receiving and 13 touchdown season in 2013.
Fantasy football owners should not be hesitant to draft Davis with the news of his holdout as he should be back in a 49ers uniform before the season opens in Dallas. Vernon still remains as one of the top tight ends in the league and although the offseason reports do not associate him too closely with the team, he has still been reported as being in excellent physical shape.
Defense/Special Teams:
2013 Stats:
SCK INT FR TD PA YA ESPN PTS
38 18 11 5 272 5071 154
2014 Projections:
SCK INT FR TD PA YA ESPN PTS
34 16 13 6 255 4576 170-180
Justin Smith (94), Patrick Willis (52), NaVorro Bowman (53)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vumwNmBGNG4