Knowledge is power and the greatest asset you can acquire in order to compete for a fantasy football championship.
Here's your 2022 preview of the San Francisco 49ers, the seventh of 32 team profiles during draft season:
— 2022 Fantasy MVP: Trey Lance, QB
We don't have to look far to find Lance's (ADP: 100) fantasy floor in his first year as a starter. Check out Jalen Hurts' 2021 campaign — he finished as fantasy's QB9 with 3,144 passing yards, 784 rushing yards and 26 total touchdowns. Lance plays in a more explosive offense with a plethora of weapons and arguably the best play-caller in the business. He's currently QB13 in most drafts.
— 2022 Fantasy Sleeper: Brandon Aiyuk, WR
Aiyuk (ADP: 99) was fantasy's WR13 in standard formats in 2021 from Week 8 on. He accomplished this while dynamic teammate Deebo Samuel actually edged Cooper Kupp for the top spot at the position during the same time frame. The third-year receiver has developed a solid relationship with Lance and is currently WR38 in most drafts.
— 2022 Fantasy Bust: Elijah Mitchell, RB
Under Kyle Shanahan's watch, San Francisco has had a new leading rusher every season. I was truly impressed by Mitchell (ADP: 50) in his rookie year — from Week 7, he was fantasy's RB11 in standard formats — but it's telling the 49ers have used a third-round pick on the position the last two drafts. On a week-to-week basis, Shanahan's starting running back is very valuable in fantasy, but there's no guarantee that will be Mitchell. And this is before we factor in Lance taking his bite of the rushing pie.
— 2022 Fantasy Rookie to watch: Tyrion Davis-Price, RB
Davis-Price (ADP: 185) will see the field. It is the nature of the 49ers' backfield. I imagine the physicality he brings to the position will manifest a decent share of goal-line work. Also, Shanahan could turn to the rookie when it's time to salt away games.
