Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 3rd at 4:05 PM ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Betting Odds: SEA +2.5, 52 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Russell Wilson (Start, Low-end QB1)
Last week’s performance didn’t inspire much confidence in Russell Wilson after the quarterback struggled against a Minnesota defense many believed was exploitable. Plus, it seems like the new offensive coordinator in Seattle has Wilson running much less, limiting Russell’s rushing upside. On the other hand, this new offense utilizes plenty of deep throws downfield, meaning the Seahawks could pop off at any time. After all, “Russ” averaged 25.2 fantasy points over the first two weeks of the season. Wilson is still start-able, but I’m slightly tempering expectations this week and listing him towards the end of the QB1 tier.
Running Backs
Chris Carson (Start, High-end RB2)
He hasn’t been incredibly valuable in PPR formats, but Chris Carson has been a consistent RB2 so far this year, and his fantasy output has increased with each week. He may be a bit touchdown-dependent, but Carson has found the end zone three times in the last two games. The 49ers have allowed the 10th-most rushing yards and the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs, so the opportunity should be there for another respectable performance from Carson. I have him at the very top of the RB2 tier week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
DK Metcalf (Start, WR1), Tyler Lockett (Start, High-end WR2 with upside), Gerald Everett (Out)
The 49ers are right in the middle of the league in passing yards allowed so far this year, so there should be enough opportunities for Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf in Week 4. Lockett seems to have the higher ceiling, while Metcalf has the safer floor. This game could turn into a bit of a shootout too. I’m not ranking both of these receivers in the WR1 tier because it rarely happens. The last time these receivers both had a WR1 performance was Week 2 of the 2020 season. I’m ranking Metcalf slightly ahead of Lockett because the former has a higher target share, but Tyler has plenty of weekly deep-ball upside. Start these talented receivers if you’re lucky enough to have one on your fantasy squad.
Gerald Everett had an encouraging five targets and five receptions last week, but I wouldn’t expect that production often. He was only seeing two passes a game before last week. Everett was recently placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after a positive test.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo (Sit, Low-End QB2)
Jimmy Garoppolo is averaging 16.3 fantasy points per game this year. Honestly, there isn’t much else that needs to be said here. Garoppolo isn’t startable in any one-quarterback leagues.
Running Backs
Elijah Mitchell (Start, RB2), Trey Sermon (Potential Flex if starting), Kyle Juszczyk (Sit)
Elijah Mitchell was inactive last week with a shoulder injury but should have a good shot at suiting up this week. He logged a limited practice on Wednesday. Fantasy managers need to keep an eye on his practice status. If he’s good to go, I believe Mitchell should be capable of an RB2 performance against a Seahawks defense that has allowed the third-most rushing yards in the league so far this season.
Trey Sermon was the lead back for San Francisco in Week 3, but he didn’t impress much with his opportunity. Sermon was out-snapped 48 to 41 by fullback Kyle Juszczyk, so I don’t think the 49ers trust him much yet. Juszczyk put up a respectable 15 fantasy points, but a late touchdown reception provided about half of those points. He may be serviceable if Mitchell misses another game, but his fantasy production will be inconsistent at best. I’m not very high on Sermon. I would place him somewhere in Flex territory if he gets the start again.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Deebo Samuel (Start, WR2), Brandon Aiyuk (Sit), George Kittle (Start, TE1)
Deebo Samuel had a lackluster Week 3 with only 10.2 fantasy points, but fantasy managers shouldn’t worry too much. Samuel is still the clear target leader in San Francisco, averaging 10 per game. Deebo should be a reliable weekly WR2 with plenty of upside most weeks. I like Samuel’s chances for a WR2 performance this week in what could easily become a high-scoring game.
It seems like Brandon Aiyuk is trending up a bit. After missing Week 1, he finally saw a respectable six targets in Week 3. The usage is encouraging, but I need to see at least one more week with a solid target share before I can fully trust Aiyuk in a fantasy lineup.
Although he’s day-to-day with a sore calf, George Kittle should be good to go in Week 4. Thankfully, Kittle is finally beginning to look like himself after his 17-point TE1 performance last week. The elite tight end should be capable of another TE1 performance against Seattle’s struggling defense.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)