Fantasy Football Player Notes
2024 Half PPR Draft Rankings
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1.
Christian McCaffrey
RB - (at ARI)
McCaffrey remained "THE DUDE" at running back in fantasy last year. He was the RB1 in fantasy, finishing as an RB1 in 81% of his games and as a top 24 RB in every game he played. McCaffrey averaged 21.2 touches and 126.5 total yards per game while ranking second in carries, fourth in targets, and first in red zone touches among running backs. There's no reason to expect a falloff entering 2024. His deeper efficiency metrics all scream that he remains in the prime of his career after ranking fourth in explosive run rate and 10th in yards after contact last season (per Fantasy Points Data). The biggest concern for McCaffrey is that he is entering his age-28 season and is coming off a year where he absorbed 417 touches (regular season and playoffs combined). We have seen extreme high-volume seasons ruin running backs before, but he should still be a top 3-5 pick in fantasy drafts. In many leagues, he will be drafted as the clear 1.01.
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24.
Deebo Samuel Sr.
WR - (at ARI)
Deebo Samuel ranked as the WR12 overall despite playing 15 games. Notably, he scored the second-most total touchdowns (12) with his dual role as a rusher and receiver. Samuel also led all wide receivers in total red-zone touches. However, his injury history raises concerns due to his physical playing style. Additionally, there's potential for TD regression given his performance exceeded expectations in the previous season, ranking as WR26 in expected points per game (10.9). Moreover, relying on rushing production can be unpredictable year-to-year, and the emergence of Brandon Aiyuk further complicates Samuel's outlook as he enters a contract year. If Aiyuk is moved, hard to see Samuel going outside the top-2 rounds of fantasy drafts. And Samuel has reportedly been "the" guy at 49ers camp with Aiyuk not practicing.
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27.
Brandon Aiyuk
WR - (at ARI)
Brandon Aiyuk emerged as the primary receiver for the 49ers in 2023, accumulating nearly 1,500 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns in 19 games. Despite a modest role in the red zone, he commanded a 24% target share and ranked 15th in air yards share. Aiyuk's efficiency was notable, finishing as a top-5 performer in yards per route run. Entering a contract year at age 26, he may still have untapped potential after back-to-back top-15 WR finishes in half-PPR formats. As for what team Aiyuk will be playing for in 2024? He is coming back to the Bay Area. After a long contract dispute Aiyuk signed a four-year deal worth $120 million.
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77.
George Kittle
TE - (at ARI)
If you value week-to-week consistency, George Kittle might not be the tight end for you. But if you're an adrenaline-fueled roller coaster enthusiast, Kittle is your guy. In 2023, Kittle had seven games in which he produced 16 or more PPR points and six games in which he produced 6 or fewer PPR points. The drawback with Kittle is that he doesn't see as many targets as other top tight ends. Over the last three seasons, Travis Kelce has averaged 8.5 targets a game, Mark Andrews has averaged 7.8, and Kittle has averaged 6.0. Kittle's well-rounded skill set can actually be a hindrance, since the 49ers like to leverage his exceptional blocking ability. But Kittle is quite a pass catcher, too. He's topped 1,000 receiving yards in three of the last six years and has averaged 9.8 yards per target for his career -- almost a full yard better than Kelce's career average of 8.9 yards per target. The TE5 in fantasy scoring last season, Kittle will again be a good bet for a top-five positional fantasy finish in 2024. Just realize it might not always be a smooth trip.
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85.
Brock Purdy
QB - (at ARI)
If there were any doubts about Brock Purdy's QB bona fides following his partial-season success in 2022, he dispelled them with an excellent performance in 2023. Purdy led all NFL quarterbacks in yards per attempt (9.6), passer rating (113.0) and QBR (72.8). He also led the league in touchdown rate (7.0%), although naysayers might suggest that such a high TD rate is destined for regression. Purdy has the benefit of an ideal ecosystem, with Kyle Shanahan as his playcaller and Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle as his pass catchers. After finishing QB7 in fantasy scoring in 2023, Purdy is destined to be a top-12 fantasy quarterback in 2024 drafts.
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175.
Jordan Mason
RB - (at ARI)
With Elijah Mitchell on the IR for the year and Mason crushing camp, he is the clear RB2 for the 49ers. He should be one of the most sought-after handcuffs in fantasy drafts this season. Mason hasn't seen the field much over the last two seasons (83 carries), but when he has, he has been productive. Since 2022, among 78 qualifying backs, he ranks second in yards after contact per attempt and 21st in missed tackles forced per attempt (per PFF). If Christian McCaffrey misses any time this season, Mason would be an automatic top-15 back in fantasy for the week.
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185.
San Francisco 49ers
DST - (at ARI)
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222.
Jake Moody
K - (at ARI)
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243.
Ricky Pearsall
WR - (at ARI)
Ricky Pearsall showcased his talent at Arizona State and Florida, culminating in a 25% dominator rating in his final college season with 963 receiving yards. At the NFL Combine, he impressed with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical, highlighting his athleticism. Drafted in the first round, Pearsall's polished route-running and reliable hands make him NFL-ready, though his ceiling may be capped by the depth of his team's receiving corps, particularly if teammates like Samuel and Aiyuk maintain significant roles in the offense.
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291.
Isaac Guerendo
RB - (at ARI)
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303.
Jacob Cowing
WR - (at ARI)
Jacob Cowing, though lacking in size at under 5-foot-9 and 168 pounds, compensates with exceptional speed, agility, and precise route-running, making him a constant threat on the field. With a career dominator rating of 32%, Cowing's dominance at Arizona and UTEP is undeniable, highlighted by elite single-season marks of 42% and 41% in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Despite concerns about his size, his senior year showcased his ability to stretch the field and create after the catch, amassing 89 receptions for 868 yards and 13 touchdowns. While a Senior Bowl injury may have dampened his stock, Cowing's K.J. Hamler-esque profile and sub-4.4 speed make him an intriguing prospect, particularly in a Kyle Shanahan-style offense like the one in San Francisco, where undersized receivers have thrived before.
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324.
Jauan Jennings
WR - (at ARI)
The 49ers also re-signed Jauan Jennings to an extension to his rookie contract through the 2025 season. The deal is worth a guaranteed $10.5 million and is comparable to the extension Rashod Bateman received with the Ravens. Jennings had moments in 2024, most notably in his single spot start back in Week 7 against the Vikings with Deebo Samuel inactive. Jennings was targeted a team-high 9 times (31% Target share) and caught 5 passes for 54 yards. He filled in admirably for Samuel. And he performed well in the 49ers' postseason run. Jennings caught 5 of 6 targets for 61 yards in the divisional round versus Green Bay. In the Super Bowl, Jennings was making his case for MVP with 4 catches for 42 yards and 1 TD in addition to a passing TD to Christian McCaffrey. If the team trades Samuel, Jennings is an underrated player who could seize a larger role in the 49ers offense.
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392.
Kyle Juszczyk
RB - (at ARI)
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480.
Joshua Dobbs
QB - (at ARI)
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483.
Patrick Taylor Jr.
RB - (at ARI)
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611.
Chris Conley
WR - (at ARI)
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642.
Brayden Willis
TE - (at ARI)
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643.
Ronnie Bell
WR - (at ARI)
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668.
Jake Tonges
TE - (at ARI)
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675.
Russell Gage
WR - (at ARI)
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729.
Eric Saubert
TE - (at ARI)
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744.
Trent Taylor
WR - (at ARI)
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