LestersLegends.com

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We have been waiting Mr. Crabtree. Waiting for the monster numbers that justified your angst for being taken with just the tenth pick of the 2009 NFL Draft.
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After two years and 27 games Crabtree has 103 catches for 1366 yards and eight touchdowns. He has just two 100 yard games under his belt and has yet to deliver a multiple touchdown game.
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It’s not all Crabtree’s fault. The holdout was silly, which got him off on the wrong foot, but he hasn’t exactly had the kind of quarterback play that reminds 49ers fans of Jeff Garcia, let alone Montana or Young. Alex Smith is wildly inconsistent, which is not ideal for a young receiver looking to make his mark.
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Crabtree’s overall numbers don’t illustrate how bad his season was. He averaged 46.3 yards per game, but he was below that mark in half of his game. In six more games he failed to top 61 yards. That’s 14 games with 61 or fewer yards for those of you keeping score at home. In four of the games he bailed himself out with a touchdown, but that only gives him six games in which he had more than six fantasy points (non-PPR scoring).
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With speculation that his foot is bothering him and concerns that he keeps himself isolated from the team, the question marks start to pop up. Fantasy drafts aren’t taking place any time soon so you should have ample time to monitor Crabtree before deciding whether or not he’s right for your fantasy team.
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One thing to keep in mind is the 49ers’ move to the West Coast Offense. Without a big time burst, Crabtree is better suited for this offense. Crabtree’s Mock Draft Central ADP is 27th among wide receiver, which appears to be a pretty good slot. I probably wouldn’t want him as an WR2, but  he’s not a bad option for a WR3.
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Also check out:

• 2011 Early Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football TE Rankings

Boser’s Tweetbeat – Sifting through the hashtags to bring you the hottest trending Twitter topics in the Fantasy Football industry.
By Ryan Boser
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A Kick in the Teeth?
The NFL’s decision to move kickoffs up from the 30 to the 35-yard line has been widely criticized by coaches, players, and fans alike. Touchbacks are boring, and more importantly, they deprive us of fantasy scoring opportunities. Last season roughly 16 percent of kickoffs resulted in touchbacks — that number is expected to double in 2011. Furthermore, it’s been speculated that there will be an emphasis on kickoff height, giving coverage units extra time to swarm. So how exactly will this rule change affect fantasy football? Well, unless your league awards points for return yards, the impact will be minimal. The odds of that pleasantly unexpected six-pointer from guys like Percy Harvin or Jacoby Ford just took a hit, but you shouldn’t be banking on those perks anyways.
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The Quarterback Shuffle
Now that the Super Bowl buzz has subsided, Michael Vick has reclaimed his throne from Aaron Rodgers as the No. 1 2011 fantasy quarterback. What’s more interesting is the range at which he’s been drafted. In nearly 40 expert mocks run by the fine folks at FantasyFootballWhiz.com and ProFootballFocus.com, he’s been selected everywhere from No. 1 to No. 26. I can’t recall a more polarizing fantasy prospect. I find myself trending towards the low end of the spectrum — outstanding quarterback value can be found in rounds 4-6.
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Trade Winds
Now that Andy Reid is reportedly willing to listen to trade offers for backup quarterback Kevin Kolb, we can safely begin to discuss his fantasy impact as a starter. Where? Take your pick — his name has been tied to speculation in Tennessee, Carolina, San Francisco, Minnesota, Cleveland, Seattle, Cincinnati, and Arizona. Of the eight teams mentioned, no player stands to gain more than Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The addition of a quarterback who can put a ball in his general vicinity would likely propel his fantasy draft stock back to where it belongs — among the top three wide receivers.
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Gold Rush
The fantasy stock of San Francisco’s passing game has seen an uptick since the hiring of Jim Harbaugh in January. For now, we have to assume Alex Smith will return as quarterback, although that could obviously change depending on how April’s draft plays out. In particular, tight end Vernon Davis’ and wide receiver Michael Crabtree’s ADPs are pointing up. Davis belongs in the top five at his position, regardless of coach or quarterback, but I’m still leery of Crabtree. He’s shown us very little at the NFL level, and his size/speed combination is nothing special. In 27 career games, he’s topped 81 yards just twice, and he’s only scored eight times. Moreover, he’s caught just 55% of his targets (103/187), and averaged a mundane 13.3 yards per catch. Does that seem like mid-round value to you?
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Ryan Boser is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA), and regularly contributes writing and commentary to numerous media outlets. Ryan’s own website, Out of My League, covers both fantasy football and the Minnesota sports landscape.

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The fantasy playoffs continued as the Chargers destroyed the 49ers last night.
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Having players go in the Thursday night games gives you a little bit of an advantage. If your players do well, you can perhaps be a little more cautious with your team. If your players failed to put up good numbers, perhaps you will want to take a bigger risk, hoping to make up some ground. You also get a feel for your matchup depending on how your opponents players did. Let’s take a look at how fantasy owners will be feeling about their players.
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Quarterbacks:  Philip Rivers (273 yards, three touchdowns) didn’t have Antonio Gates or Malcom Floyd in his arsenal, but it did not matter. He just reunited with an old flame in Vincent Jackson to put on a clinic. If you used Alex Smith (165 yards, INT), you’re in some serious trouble.
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Running Backs: There were four possible running back choices in this one. Mike Tolbert (46 yards, TD) was the top ranked of the quartet and he delivered the best score. Brian Westbrook (30 total yards, TD) did well enough for those of you who took a chance on him. Ryan Mathews (56 yards) was OK, while Anthony Dixon (35 total yards) was a letdown.
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Wide Receivers:  Vincent Jackson (112 yards, 3 TDs) was a beast. I bumped him into the top 15 when news broke of Floyd and Gates inactive status. I just wish I bumped him higher. Josh Morgan (106 yards) once again was the top wide receiver threat. He has becoming one of those unheralded players that make fantasy football playoffs legends. Michael Crabtree (17 yards) was a dud. Legedu Naanee was a major letdown.
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Tight Ends: Vernon Davis (4 yards) was nearly invisible. Tough break for his fantasy owners. You’ll have to make up those points. Randy McMichael (55 yards) did an admirable job filling in for Gates.
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Kickers:  Nate Kaeding kicked two field goals (25, 39) and had four PATs. Solid start. Jeff Reed was held to one lonely PAT.
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Defenses:  San Diego was a beast holding the Niners to seven points. They racked up six sacks and forced on turnover (INT). The Niners got blitzed allowing 34 points. They had just one sack and did not force a turnover.
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Also check out:

• Week 15 Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em Waiver Wire Advice
• Week 15 Fantasy QB Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy RB Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy WR Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy TE Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy K Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• Week 15 Fantasy IDP Rankings
• Week 15 Start/Sit Advice

Written by Eric Stashin of www.rotoprofessor.com

Michael Crabtree sits atop many people’s 2010 breakout candidate lists, and with good reason.  Despite not yet playing in a preseason game due to a neck strain (though he has returned to practice) and playing in just 11 games in his rookie campaign due to a holdout, there is no doubting his talent.

Last season he had 48 receptions for 625 yards and 2 TD, only twice having as few as three receptions (and never having more then six).  He was consistent, and that came despite questionable quarterback play and no preseason to get a rapport with his teammates.

While he has missed time during camp this year, he already has worked with Alex Smith.  The two know each other and now just need to get their timing back on track.  It doesn’t take four preseason games to do that.

The team has also improved the talent on the offensive side of the ball.  Added are Ted Ginn, Jr. and Brian Westbrook, not to mention Vernon Davis’ 2009 breakout.  Throw in a healthy Frank Gore, and the 49ers actually produce matchup issues for opposing defenses.

We’ve discussed Smith as a potential sleeper in the past (click here to view), and the former first overall pick is finally showing signs of living up to his draft position.  In three preseason games he has gone 21-37, completing nearly 57% of his passes.  All he needs to do is distribute the ball around the field and put his teammates in position to make plays.

At 6′1″, 214 lbs., Crabtree is a big target with the potential to make big plays.  No receiver had more then 22 catches of 20+ yards last season.  Despite his limited playing time and receptions, he had 10, the same number as Anquan Boldin.  Just imagine what he has the potential to do now that he is fully immersed in the offense?

The sky is truly the limit, and as a WR2, he is a great get.  He currently has an ADP of 43.3 according to Mock Draft Central, the fourteenth receiver coming off the board.  While that’s slightly higher then I have him (16th on the most recent rankings, which you can view by clicking here), he is still a terrific pick.  By year’s end, he has the opportunity to emerge as a WR1 in all formats.

What are your thoughts on Crabtree?  Do you think he’ll live up to the hype?  Or do you expect him to be a fantasy bust?

Make sure to check out Rotoprofessor’s 2010 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers

   

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

For the first time in a long time the 49ers enter the year with quality fantasy options at RB, WR, and TE. They also have a good chance to win the division.

Fantasy Playoffs Schedule:  Very Favorable
The Niners open the fantasy playoffs against Seattle at home. They play the Chargers in San Diego Week 15 and finish up against the Rams on the road. Frank Gore owners have to be licking their chops.

Five Star Fantasy Options
Frank Gore – Aside from the cushy fantasy playoffs schedule, the Niners invested two first round picks in RT Anthony Davis and LG Mike Iupati. Gore is a talented RB that can get it done on the ground and through the air. As long as he stays healthy, the sky is the limit.

Vernon Davis – I am a little skeptical that he can perform near the level he did last year, but any time a TE catches 78 passes for 965 yards and 13 TDs, you have to take note. He’s a freakish athlete that has finally figured things out. If he stays healthy, another big year should be in order.

Four Star Fantasy Options
Michael Crabtree – In 11 games Crabtree caught 48 passes for 625 yards and 2 TDs. He was remarkable consistent catching between 3-6 passes every game. With a full training camp and preseason, Crabtree has plenty of room to grow.

Niners Defense/Special Teams – I love the Niners D for the fantasy playoffs. Also along the way they face Seattle (Weeks 1, 14), Kansas City (3), Oakland (5), St. Louis (10, 16), and Tampa (11). Ted Ginn, Jr.’s arrival should bolster their return game.

Three Star Fantasy Options
Alex Smith – His leash probably isn’t as long as other starters, but as long as he produces he should keep his grip on the starting job. With increased confidence and a variety of talent on offense, Smith makes for a solid QB2.

Josh Morgan – Morgan has the potential to join the long line of third-year WRs to breakout. He has the size and speed to do it, but he’s fourth in pecking order after Gore, Davis, and Crabtree.

Two Star Fantasy Options
Ted Ginn, Jr. – Maybe a change of scenery is all Ginn, Jr. needs. I’m not holding my breath that he’ll improve his hands since by switching coasts, but the potential is there for him to be a solid slot receiver.

One Star Fantasy Options
Glen Coffee/Anthony Dixon – Neither of these players are fantasy worthy unless Frank Gore goes down. Of the two I like Coffee’s chances better.

Click here for additional 2010 NFL Team Previews.

It must be Wide Receiver Day in the NFL as a pair of disgruntled WRs are in the news.  First up is Diva Rookie Michael Crabtree.  San Francisco’s 3-1 start and 35-0 drubbing of St. Louis must have made Crabtree realize that the Niners were doing fine without him, and weren’t going to be the first one to blink.  Now that he has missed so much time, it is unlikely that Crabtree will make much of an impact, especially on a team that relies on the running game and defense.  It is good news to those fantasy owners who took a chance on him, and especially to those in dynasty leagues who intend to have him as part of their long-term plan.

In other news, Braylon Edwards punched his ticket out of Cleveland (pun intended).  He is heading to the Jets for Chansi Stuckey, Jason Trusnik, and a couple of draft picks.  Edwards fantasy value takes a jump as he’ll likely be more motivated escaping the misery of Cleveland.  Stuckey could see a slight bump in value, but the real bump should go to last week’s breakout player Mohamed Massaquoi, who had a great rapport with Derek Anderson last week in a loss to Cincinnati.

As far as the QBs go, Mark Sanchez takes a step forward by adding a big play threat, assuming his drops and attitude don’t get in the way.  I don’t see much change from Derek Anderson as Braylon’s heart wasn’t in it.  He didn’t even catch a pass last week.