32 Fantasy Previews: San Francisco 49ers

Our Previews series enters our final NFC division, the NFC West, and we start with the team that came oh so close to playing in Super Bowl XLVI, the San Francisco 49ers.

Alex Smith

Smith had a career year in 2011, all thanks to Jim Harbaugh.

He had his highest number of completions and attempts in his career, a career high in completion percentage, broke a 90 QB Rating for the first time ever, and only threw five interceptions, despite throwing just 17 touchdowns.

Smith also won his first NFC West Title played in his first career NFC Championship Game.

Smith finished as the 15th scoring QB in fantasy in 2011, which is about where his ceiling might be.

Smith did a take a big step forward under Harbaugh last season and really improved as a quarterback. But he still shouldn't be taken as a fantasy QB1, but is well worth drafting as a backup and a bye-week fill-in.

Smith is currently the 25th QB off the board with an ADP in Round 15, meaning he is either going at the very end or not being drafted at all. That's about where he should be.

Frank Gore

It's another case of how the mighty have fallen.

Yes, Gore did eclipse 1,200 yards rushing and had 8 touchdowns, finishing 11th in RB scoring.

But Gore's days as a workhorse back are done.

Kendall Hunter impressed last season, getting more touches and becoming more involved in the offense. San Francisco also signed Brandon Jacobs in free agency and drafted Oregon RB LaMichael James in Round 2.

Plus, Gore hasn't been the healthiest of backs and has a lot of wear and tear on his body.

What was once a crystal clear RB situation is now a very murky RB situation.

What's worse for Gore is he was hardly involved in the passing game, catching only 17 balls in 2011, although Hunter caught just 16.

Just goes to show that San Fran's passing game does not go through the RBs, so they get dropped a notch in PPR leagues.

I would currently rank the RBs as this: Gore, Hunter, James, Jacobs.

Current ADPs: Gore-RB18, going in Round 5. Hunter-RB51, going in Round 13. James-RB54, going in Round 14. Jacobs-RB71, undrafted.

Michael Crabtree

Crabtree has improved since he entered the NFL, including catching 73 passes last season for 880 yards. This kid has gone through injuries and missed every offseason since he came into the NFL, via holdouts, injury and last year's lockout.

Now, Crabtree finally has a full offseason to work with Smith and could be a nice option as a WR3, especially in PPR formats, as he should be operating out of the slot.

Along with Jacobs, San Fran also brought in former Giant Mario Manningham and brought Randy Moss out of retirement, and also drafted A.J. Jenkins in the 1st Round.

At this point, Moss and Crabtree look to be the top 2 WRs, followed by Manningham. Jenkins has disappointed thus far in OTAs, and should not be owned at this point.

Moss and Manningham are worth late-round flyers.

ADPs: Crabtree-WR35, going in Round 9, Moss is WR53 and Manningham is WR54, both going in Round 13. Jenkins is WR67, going undrafted.

Vernon Davis

While Crabtree can be a nice target for Smith, Vernon Davis is Smith's go-to guy and bailout option.

Davis had 792 yards and 6 TDs last season. He came up even bigger in the playoff win against New Orleans, catches 7 passes for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Davis is still a top 10 TE, as Smith will mostly throw his way, and Davis is a guy you can get in the middle round.

He is currently being drafted in Round 5 as the 4th TE off the board, which is a tad high. I have him just outside the top 5 and feel you can wait to get him in Round 6 or 7. But if you feel you need to grab him in Round 5, go right ahead and do so.

San Francisco is more of a team that will rely on their defense again, as all 11 starters from last season are back. Their offense may not be chock full of fantasy goodness, but they have their upside.

Next on the list will be the Arizona Cardinals.

Until next time, this is your boy Bill Wild, signing off.