49ers (-120) @ Broncos (+1.5); Total of 45

The 49ers season has not gone as expected, with a Week 1 contest that can be thrown out the window for fantasy purposes because of rain while Week 2 saw them lose their starting QB Trey Lance to season-ending injury. However, they have arguably the best backup QB in the league in Jimmy Garoppolo. Kyle Shanahan will be forced to change up the gameplan now that the point guard of the offense no longer has the rushing ability of Lance, but the familiarity from the last few seasons should allow for a very smooth transition with a full week of practice. The other stories to monitor on the Niners side of things revolve around the health of their starting TE and the RB room. George Kittle (groin) is expected to make his debut on Sunday, but remained limited at practice on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tyrion Davis-Price (ankle) joined Elijah Mitchell (knee) on the shelf after the rookie saw almost as many carries (14) as Jeff Wilson Jr. (18).

The Broncos have also been in the news early on this season due to some questionable coaching decisions from first-time head coach Nathaniel Hackett and some disappointing play from former Seahawk Russell Wilson. After dropping their opening contest to Seattle, Denver was barely able to escape with the win against one of the weakest all-around teams in the Texans in Week 2. Better weeks should be ahead for the new-look Broncos as both Wilson and Hackett adjust to their new circumstances, but the Niners will most certainly have an additional chip on the shoulder facing a QB who has had their number during his Seahawks tenure. The injuries that will be worth monitoring throughout the week are the shoulder injuries that forced both WR Jerry Jeudy and CB Patrick Surtain to leave Week 2’s contest early.

49ers

QB

After it finally seemed like the Niners had turned the page on the Jimmy G. era, he’s back. However, that doesn’t mean much for fantasy managers as Jimmy is best as a game manager who thrives when he doesn’t turn the ball over while the Niners focus on defense and running the ball. He does have a really good cast of receiving options and is in play as the QB2 in superflex formats, but that’s where the extent of Garoppolo’s fantasy appeal ends.

Want to read the rest of our fantasy preview as well as get access to the rest of our premium content? You’ll need to have a FANTASYPASS membership. Click here to learn more and sign up! 

WR

Premium Access Required: