Fantasy football projections, Week 15: 49ers-Falcons featuring Carlos Hyde, Tevin Coleman, Taylor Gabriel, more

The Week 15 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons features two running backs who have increased their stock just in time for the fantasy postseason. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.

After posting just a single 100-yard game through the first 12 games of the season, running back Carlos Hyde exploded for 193 rushing yards against the New York Jets last week. He needed just 17 carries to get that total. That’s over 11 yards per carry. Heading into Week 15, Hyde faces a Falcons team that has given up the second-most fantasy points to running backs so far this season. It looks like the stars are aligned for another big time performance from the one player that drives the 49ers offense. Hyde could be a top fantasy performer going into the championship round of fantasy leagues.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is the only other player on the roster worth starting in fantasy leagues. He’s been hot and cold at times this season. Sunday’s game against the Falcons will likely result in a shootout. That means while playing from behind Kaepernick should be able to rack up the fantasy points. He’s coming off two awful performances that have resulted in Kaepernick throwing for just 137 passing yards combined. He also has just one touchdown over that stretch. Week 15 should represent a complete turnaround. Kaepernick will use both his arm and it his feet to collect over 300 total yards on Sunday.

It’s still not known whether or not wide receiver Julio Jones will be able to play through a toe injury against the 49ers. Should teammate Mohamed Sanu miss another game, Taylor Gabriel will be the team’s No. 1 pass catcher. Gabriel shined last week against the Los Angeles Rams catching three of six targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. Most of those yards came on his 64-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter. Still, Gabriel is an electric talent that should be able to get past a 49ers defense that has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to be scored by the wide receiver position.

Should quarterback Matt Ryan struggle to connect with Gabriel, look for running back Tevin Coleman to make an impact out of the backfield. While he and teammate Devonta Freeman are still sharing carries out of the backfield, Coleman is more valuable in PPR formats. He only totaled 55 yards against the Rams last week but two of his touches resulted in touchdowns. He has not rushed for more than 64 yards and a game this season but his pass catching ability is what gives them all of his value. Coleman isn’t worth much in standard formats but in PPR leagues he will tear up the 49ers and his box score.