The Week 14 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns represents a matchup between two teams that find fantasy points hard to come by. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Fantasy football projections, Week 14: 49ers-Browns featuring Anquan Boldin, Johnny Manziel and Gary Barnidge
We break down the Week 14 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns.
San Francisco 49ers
He’s not exactly a fantasy superstar and he’s been around for a long time already, but running back Shaun Draughn is quietly making a case for himself as a fantasy starter in the postseason, particularly in PPR leagues. The San Francisco 49ers are going to be playing from behind a lot the rest of the way and it means quarterback Blaine Gabbert is going to have to depend on Draughn to make the difference. Draughn has at least four receptions in each of the last four games. Throw in the fact that he will chip in between 35 and 60 yards rushing per contest and he might be one of the most steady options fantasy owners have at their disposal in the playoffs.
The only other player worth considering in San Francisco’s lineup is wide receiver Anquan Boldin. He only caught five passes for 37 yards last week against the Chicago Bears but with the team’s two best tight end options both hurt, there is a chance that Boldin will be heavily targeted this time around. Matching up against cornerback Joe Haden isn’t ideal but Boldin is a savvy veteran who could be busy this Sunday.
Cleveland Browns
It hasn’t taken coach Mike Pettine too long to go back on his word and name Johnny Manziel his starting quarterback for this week’s game against the 49ers. While Pettine is likely doing so against his will, Manziel has made significant progress this year on the field even though he’s had some struggles away from it. In his last start against the Pittsburgh Steelers back in Week 10, Manziel threw for 372 passing yards. He’s unlikely to do that against the 49ers this week, but he may be worth gambling on if you’re in a deep league and your current starter is struggling. Good luck to those who gamble on Johnny Football.
One player in this contest who won’t present a gamble is tight end Gary Barnidge. Easily the most valuable fantasy player in this game, Barnidge has to be considered one of the fantasy surprises of 2015. That said he’s only found the end zone twice in the last six games after scoring five times in the first six games of the season. Barnidge will be used with regularity as the safety valve in the Browns’ offense for the rest of the season.
