Fantasy football projections, Week 16: 49ers-Rams featuring Colin Kaepernick, Carlos Hyde, Todd Gurley, more

The Week 16 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams features rebuilding teams evaluating talent for 2017. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.

If not for a victory over the Rams in the opening game of the season, the 49ers would be facing the prospect of going the entire year without a win. Now the two teams face off once again, but this time with Colin Kaepernick calling the shots for the 49ers. Kaepernick completed 20 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns in a loss at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons last week. He’s put together some impressive performances this season, but for the most part has been mediocre. The Rams have been fairly generous to fantasy quarterbacks this season, giving up the seventh most points to the position. Perhaps Kaepernick can finish the fantasy postseason with a bang for his owners. The more likely scenario is that he finishes below his projected totals. Don’t expect much from Kap in Week 16.

Running back Carlos Hyde certainly has a higher floor in terms of being able to produce consistently. He rushed the ball 13 times for 71 yards against the Falcons. That’s a healthy average of 5.46 yards per carry. Unfortunately, as has been the case all year long, the 49ers have spent a fair amount of time playing from behind. It’s likely that this week’s matchup against the Rams will be a lot closer, which should favor the 49ers rush attack. If Hyde can average five yards per carry this week, it’ll be enough to get him past his projected totals.

Jared Goff was still in the NFL’s concussion protocol despite practicing on Tuesday. Coach John Fassel still expects him to start. That’s good news for wide receiver Kenny Britt, who appears to have some chemistry with the young rookie. He caught four balls for 50 yards against Richard Sherman and the Seahawks last week. This week he’ll face a much more forgiving 49ers defense. Six catches, 75 yards and a touchdown should get the Rams’ No. 1 pass catcher above his projections in Week 16.

Running back Todd Gurley should also top his projections on Saturday. That’s because the 49ers have given up more points to fantasy running backs than any other team in the NFL this year. While Gurley only rushed for 47 yards on 17 carries against San Francisco to start the season, the 49ers are giving up a whopping 176.3 rushing yards per game at this point. Look for Gurley to finish the fantasy season strong despite rushing for just 778 yards and five scores through 14 games. Week 16 will be one of the few times he delivers.