Fantasy Insider Report: How the 49ers Will Use Deebo Samuel

Having Christian McCaffrey from the start of the season could impact the receiver’s rushing totals.

The Athlon Sports 2023 Fantasy Football Annual magazine reached out to team insiders at all 32 NFL clubs to ask them three key fantasy questions heading into the season. As we count down to training camp, Sports Illustrated will publish their answers here. Today’s team: San Francisco 49ers 

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Does the team plan to use Deebo Samuel less as a rusher with Christian McCaffrey on the roster?
Based on what happened after the 49ers traded for McCaffrey last year, the answer is yes. Samuel averaged 3.8 carries in the season’s first six games before averaging 2.7 in the seven games he played with McCaffrey. Barring a rash of backfield injuries, which inspired the 49ers to initially use Samuel far more as a runner in 2021 (53 carries in final eight games), the fantasy bump he gets from moonlighting in the backfield figures to be modest.

• 2023 Season Outlook: San Francisco 49ers

Is Brock Purdy still flying under the radar?
The 262nd and final pick of the 2022 NFL draft playing like Joe Montana as a rookie should have commanded plenty of attention. Purdy threw for 1,644 yards and accounted for 16 TDs in the seven starts he finished (including playoffs), which translates to 3,830 yards and 39 scores over a 17-game season. His star-studded supporting cast makes him a solid No. 2 fantasy QB. The 49ers’ emphasis on their running game, along with a stingy defense that limits shootouts, lessens his upside.

Are there plans to use two-tight-end sets with George Kittle and Cameron Latu?
The 49ers’ backup tight ends combined for seven catches last year, which explains why they used two of their first seven draft picks on the position. Latu, a third-round pick, was their highest-drafted tight end since 2013. His presence could lead to an uptick in two-tight-end formations, but it shouldn’t cut into Kittle’s pass-catching numbers. Latu, a linebacker who converted to tight end at Alabama after his redshirt freshman season, is a raw prospect who had 56 catches in 25 games in his final two seasons.

—Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle

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