NHL Best Bets for Tuesday (11/19)
Kenneth Le
It’s time to look ahead to the 2023 NFL season! Follow along with all our fantasy football team offseason roundups here.
It’s been a very busy NFL offseason, with free agent signings, coaching changes and several new players entering the league via the NFL Draft. As we prepare for the 2023 fantasy football season, it’s critical to have a full understanding of each team’s offseason moves. Our NFL team roundup series today covers the San Francisco 49ers.
2023 NFL Team Roundup: San Francisco 49ers
2022 Results
Record: 13-4, 1st in the NFC West
Season End: Lost NFC Conference Championship game to Philadelphia, 31-7
San Francisco 49ers Offseason Summary
Draft
3.87: Ji’Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
3.99: Jake Moody, K, Michigan
3.101: Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama
5.155: Darrell Luter, CB, South Alabama
5.173: Robert Beal, DE, Georgia
6.216: Dee Winters, LB, TCU
7.247: Brayden Willis, TE, Oklahoma
7.253: Ronnie Bell, WR, Michigan
7.255: Jalen Graham, LB, Purdue
Ji’Ayir Brown, S (3.87)
The 49ers signed 32-year-old Tashaun Gipson after Jimmie Ward departed for the Texans in free agency. Brown is a versatile defensive back that is a foundation piece for the future.
Jake Moody, K (3.99)
Selecting a kicker will always raise eyebrows, especially when this pick is the highest a kicker has been drafted since 2016. Regardless, Jake Moody was the best kicker in the draft, with three makes from 50-plus yards.
Cameron Latu, TE (3.101)
San Francisco is hoping the Alabama product can lighten the load on All-Pro George Kittle. He will battle Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner on the depth chart.
Brayden Willis, TE (7.247)
The second tight end behind Latu, he will need to supplant Dwelley or Woerner to make the roster.
Additions
Free agent signings: QB Brandon Allen, QB Sam Darnold, WR Chris Conley, C/OG Jon Feliciano, OT Matt Pryor, EDGE Clelin Ferrell, DT Javon Hargrave: CB Isaiah Oliver, DB Myles Hartsfield
Trades: K Zane Gonzalez
Javon Hargrave, DT
San Francisco bolstered an already elite defense by adding former Philadelphia defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. He tallied 57 total pressures last season in Philadelphia, an incredibly high number for an interior lineman. Hargrave was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021.
Sam Darnold, QB
The 49ers quarterback situation was very much in flux for most of the offseason. Adding veteran Sam Darnold was an insurance policy against Brock Purdy’s UCL team in last year’s NFC Championship game. While Purdy’s injury appears to be making significant progress, Darnold adds security at the most important position.
Clelin Ferrell, Edge
The former fourth-overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft has struggled to find consistency during his pro career. He has only accumulated 10 sacks in four season, but provides depth with a pedigree of high draft capital.
Departures
QB Jimmy Garoppolo , QB Josh Johnson, TE Tyler Kroft, OT Mike McGlinchey, OG Daniel Brunskill, Edge Samson Ebukam, EDGE Jordan Willis, EDGE Charles Omenihu, DL Maurice Hurst, DL Hassan Ridgeway, LB Azeez Al-Shaair (Titans), CB Emmanuel Moseley, CB Jason Verrett, S Jimmie Ward, K Robbie Gould
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB
The veteran signal-caller was very popular in the 49ers locker room after a 39-18 record in his 57 starts. The development of Purdy, upside of former first-round pick Trey Lance, and addition of veteran Darnold made Garoppolo expendable.
Mike McGlinchey, OT
The former No. 9 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, McGlinchey produced his best season in 2022. He was a strong run-blocker, and finally stayed healthy after missing 13 games over his first four seasons. McGlinchey is the only offensive line starter not returning, choosing to sign with the Broncos.
Jimmie Ward, S
Ward was the longest-tenured 49ers player, drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He followed former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to Houston, bringing versatility and leadership.
San Francisco 49ers Fantasy Outlook
The four most interesting 49ers fantasy options:
Christian McCaffrey, RB
The clear top running back in fantasy, Christian McCaffrey finally experienced full seasonal health for the first time since 2019. Despite switching teams after Week 6, McCaffrey ranked second in targets (107), receptions (85), and first in positional target share (22%). His overall passing game performance trailed Austin Ekeler, but 1,139 rushing yards make him the top dog in fantasy football.
Brock Purdy, QB
If Week 1 availability projections are correct, Brock Purdy is an absolute steal in best ball drafts currently. San Francisco won all eight games he started prior to his injury in the NFC Conference Finals. The rookie finished the season with six straight games of two passing touchdowns or more, with just three total interceptions. It was incredible what Purdy accomplished as a rookie, and a full health recovery would make him one of the best fantasy quarterback values available.
Deebo Samuel, WR
While Deebo Samuel did miss three games with a high-ankle sprain, he saw a dramatic decrease in overall production from the 2021 season. While many assume it was a result of the McCaffrey acquisition, Samuel only produced two PPR WR18 or better weeks throughout his 13 games played. His yards per reception also dropped from the prior season, decreasing from 18.2 to 11.3 yards. While still an explosive talent, does his current WR17 ranking weight his 2021 season too heavily?
George Kittle, TE
George Kittle is one of the most talented tight ends in the league, and his consistency is remarkable. He has finished as the overall TE4 or better in five straight seasons, including last year’s 11 touchdown performance in just 15 games. He was a brilliant fantasy playoff performer, earning the TE1 and TE3 stat lines during critical Weeks 15 and 16. Still only 29 years old, Kittle could produce his career-best season if Brock Purdy remains healthy.
2023 Outlook
DraftKings Sportsbook Wins Over/Under: 10.5 (-120, +100)
The 49ers have enjoyed a nice four-year run of success, with two consecutive trips to the NFC Championship game. They have found success despite a revolving door at quarterback. Hopefully, Purdy is healthy for Week 1 and we can see the ceiling for an offense filled with explosive playmakers. They actually have the fifth-easiest schedule per Vegas opposing win totals, and have one of the most balanced teams on both sides of the ball. They are the heavy favorite to win the NFC West (-150) and the second-favorite to win the NFC (+425). It’s Super Bowl or best for head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers.
