Welcome back to another riveting NFC West bout, with the winner taking home the top spot in the division. The San Francisco 49ers, without a handful of key starters, head to Los Angeles to take on the Rams, who are plenty healthy heading into Week 5. It’s a matchup that’s poised to deliver some fantasy goodness – as long as the 49ers can keep up with the Rams offensive attack.
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Thursday Night Football Fantasy Preview
Players That are In Your Lineup
San Francisco 49ers – Christian McCaffrey (RB)
Well, here we are. The only real playable option for the San Francisco 49ers is none other than the fantasy football cheat code himself. Christian McCaffrey may be tasked to do quite literally everything in this offense. It’s going to be a great opportunity for fantasy managers to take a massive lead on their opponent on Thursday night thanks to CMC.
Los Angeles Rams – Kyren Williams (RB), Puka Nacua (WR), Davante Adams (WR)
Puka Nacua is currently leading the NFL in receiving yards with 503 on the Year. The next closest is Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 402. I don’t know in what circumstances you would not play Nacua when he’s healthy. The same can be said for Davante Adams, who has shown an instant connection with Matthew Stafford. Kyren Williams is a must-play option at running back, but I don’t think you needed me to tell you that either.
Check out all of our Week 45Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
Fringe Playable Players
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles
We know exactly who Matthew Stafford is at this point in his career. He isn’t the most exciting fantasy option at quarterback, but between bye weeks and injuries, you may find yourself needing to fire him up on Thursday. He’s a reliable option that is sure to give you a nice 15 points to start the week.
Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles
The Blake Corum believers have been pounding the table for him to get more in-game reps. He finally got some work against the 49ers to the tune of 9 carries for 21 yards. Not great for fantasy or real NFL, but there is a case to be made for those rosters desperate for a running back play. We’ve already seen him used at the goal line this season. He has that tiny bit of touchdown upside that might entice you to add him to your starting roster.
Mac Jones, QB, San Francisco
I am less worried about Mac Jones starting, as he’s already had a few games under his belt this season. Though this Rams defense should give you a slight pause before you scoop him back up off of waivers. Jones is a ball-delivery tool for CMC – and that’s really it. Jones’ success as a fantasy option goes where CMC goes.
Kendrick Bourne, DeMarcus Robinson, and Marques Valdez-Scantling, WR, San Francisco
Good luck trying to figure out who is the main option amongst this group. One of these players will be a fantasy-relevant wide receiver this week, but it just feels impossible to know who it will be. If I were to guess, it would be DeMarcus Robinson now that he’s warmed up and back from the suspension.
Jake Tonges, TE, San Francisco
The tight end position feels a bit like a coin flip this season. Each week asks the question, “Did your tight end score a touchdown?”. If the answer is yes, then you’re happy with the modest amount of points that came with it. If the answer is no, you’re very disappointed. Playing Jake Tonges is a bet that the 49ers will look at him in the red zone and haul in a touchdown. Otherwise, there’s not much else going for the backup tight end in San Francisco.
Players to Leave on Your Bench
Brian Robinson Jr., RB, San Francisco
I don’t know if I have the strength to start Brian Robinson Jr. in this matchup. He will get on the field to allow CMC to catch his breath, but that seems to be it for his utilization. I would hate to be stuck starting B-Rob on a Thursday night game.
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams
Tyler Higbee is listed as “Doubtful” for this game and will likely miss this week. This does open the door for Terrance Ferguson, though I wouldn’t start him either, with both Nacua and Adams on fire. Go ahead and skip these tight ends this week and try to find an answer elsewhere if needed.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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