San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will bring the least productive five-game stretch of his career into a Week 16 matchup in Miami on Sunday. He is averaging 3.3 half-PPR points over that stretch, including a 3.4-point performance last Thursday at home versus the Los Angeles Rams. Samuel Sr. reached a low point when he dropped an important 3rd-down pass in LA territory to a chorus of boos from the home fans. He'll have better days ahead -- he's certainly a better player than this -- but at this point, Samuel Sr. is untrustable in fantasy. In addition, Miami's tough pass defense has limited fantasy receivers to the second-lowest total in the league. Perhaps Samuel Sr. sees an increase in carries, with the 49ers down to their fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-string running backs due to a deluge of injuries. It might not matter much, though, as he's only averaging 2.7 yards per carry this year with one rushing touchdown, way back in Week 1. He's projected as a WR4 this week, and most Samuel Sr. managers still in the fantasy playoffs probably benched him long ago.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings will face the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. The former Tennessee Volunteer disappointed last Thursday despite a team-high nine targets. The opportunities only translated to two receptions for 31 yards. In fairness, an offensively sluggish, rain-soaked first half didn't help. Weather isn't expected to be a factor this week in Miami, but the Dolphins' pass defense offers its own challenge. Miami is ranked second-best in the NFL at limiting wide receiver fantasy half-PPR points. Still, Jennings is firmly entrenched as quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite option, as one would have to go back to Week 6 to find another 49er surpassing an active Jennings in targets. Despite the tough matchup, Jennings should rebound with a useful fantasy line as a solid WR2.

San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. is expected to draw his first career start filling in for the ruled-out rookie Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) in Miami on Sunday. With Guerendo healthy enough to play, the undrafted 26-year-old Taylor Jr. received neither touch nor target in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The last time Taylor was involved was in Week 14 versus Chicago when he took seven carries for 25 yards, one touchdown, and one unfulfilled target. On the surface, Taylor Jr. may seem like a must-start since head coach Kyle Shanahan always rides his lead back heavily, but it's appropriate to temper expectations. If one includes Elijah Mitchell -- who was ruled out for the year in the preseason -- San Francisco is down to their fifth-string running back whose career YPC (3.9) is significantly below all four backs ahead of him. As a result, Shanahan may be compelled to use some combination of Taylor Jr., Israel Abanikanda, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Taylor Jr. is also less likely than his injured teammates to produce as a receiver. Miami's D is ranked 14th in running back half-PPR points against. The talent and usage questions place Taylor Jr. firmly in RB3/FLEX territory, even in a decent matchup.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is in Miami for a Week 16 contest against the Dolphins. In Week 15's Thursday night game with San Francisco clinging to playoff hopes against the Rams, Purdy did not play well, completing 14-of-31 passes for 142 yards, no touchdowns, an interception, and three yards rushing. The weather in Miami is expected to be mild and dry, which is ideal for Purdy as he has struggled mightily in precipitation, but that's where the good news ends. Jalen Ramsey and the Dolphins' pass defense have allowed the NFL's fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (13.4). Purdy is the 12th-ranked fantasy quarterback in points per game this season, and projections this week are congruent with that number. Consider Purdy a suboptimal play on the QB1/QB2 fence for the fantasy playoffs.

According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Bay Area, San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's match against the Miami Dolphins. Guerendo was unable to participate in any team practices this week. He entered his Week 14 game with a foot injury and then left it with a hamstring concern. Fantasy managers should closely monitor his status next week as he may be in danger of missing more time. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Patrick Taylor Jr. to lead a depleted San Francisco backfield on Sunday. Throughout the season, he has tallied 50 yards on 14 attempts and brought in one of his two targets for 12 yards. Taylor should be viewed as a high-floor flex option this weekend facing a Miami rushing defense that has allowed the 12th-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.