Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 1st, 4:25 PM ET
Location: Levis Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Betting Odds: SF -14, 43.5 total via Draft Kings Sportsbook
Network: Fox
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Joshua Dobbs (Sit)
Joshua Dobbs has been a breath of fresh air for the Cardinals. He’s completed 72% of his passes and is one of only four QBs left without an interception. This week he’s got a tough challenge against the 49ers, a team that has the second-most interceptions (5) and has eight sacks. Last week the 49ers limited Daniel Jones to under 200 yards and zero touchdowns. Dobbs’ best chance this week will be using his legs to help extend drives and make plays. Last week, Jones had some of his best throws when he found some room with his legs, something Dobbs should have no problem doing. This week should be a no-brainer, go ahead and sit Dobbs.
Running Backs
James Conner (Start, RB2)
Somebody forgot to tell James Conner and the Cardinals that they are supposed to be bad. The fantasy community wrote him off and like Geno Smith, Conner “didn’t write back”. In 2023, Conner has run for 5.2/ypc, and last week against a “great” defense he toted the rock for 98 yards and a touchdown. Conner is a workhorse and in his three games against the 49ers, he’s averaged 21 ppg in PPR formats. That’s six more points than his average fantasy ppg as a Cardinal. Conner should eat this week and should be considered an RB2 this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Marquise Brown (Start, WR2), Michael Wilson (Sit), Rondale Moore (Sit) Zach Ertz (Sit)
Marquise Brown has been solid over the last two games, totaling 11 catches, 115 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Brown is the team’s most dependable target and should be seen as a WR2 against the 49ers’ secondary even though he scored 1.7 points last year against San Francisco. Michael Wilson has increasingly gotten better with each week, producing 86 yards on two catches last week. Wilson has been a great deep threat for the team with an ADOT of 16.8 and an average reception of 23 yards. Wilson is working towards his breakout game; I don’t believe it’ll be this week against the 49ers defense, but it’s coming.
Rondale Moore as the Cardinals slot receiver has been kind of a letdown, with only 8 catches and 55 yards. Moore has been on the field for 63.2% of the team’s snaps and has run an ADOT of 3.5 yards. He has been close but hasn’t been able to get his speed involved and take one to the house, save for his impressive run out of the backfield last week. This week Moore is a “Sit.”
Zach Ertz leads all tight ends with a 25% target share as well as having the fourth most unrealized air yards (77). Ertz has been the go-to guy for Dobbs this year, but the 49ers are historically one of the best teams against the tight-end position.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterbacks
Brock Purdy (Start, QB1)
The 49ers think they have their guy with Brock Purdy and so should you. Last week, Purdy put together his best week, throwing for over 300 yards and 2 TDs. The offense is an absolute juggernaut, and this week, they’ll welcome back Brandon Aiyuk. Having AIyuk back in the lineup should open up the downfield game and allow for this offense to play to its fullest potential. In 2023 Purdy is currently QB13 and has a potent and sustainable offense that should propel this week against a Cardinals team that has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to the QB position (20.6/ppg). Start Purdy this week with confidence as a QB1.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (Start, RB1), Elijah Mitchell (Start, Low-End Flex)
Christian McCaffrey has 423 scrimmage yards and 3 touchdowns through the first three weeks. He’s looked good and the 49ers are getting the Cardinals at home this week. The Cardinals have allowed the eighth most fantasy points to opposing RBs (22.4). While Arizona has been playing well on offense, their defense has allowed 22.3 points per game to opponents. Look for McCaffrey to continue to be a dominant force against the Cardinals and hopefully leave some meat on the bone for Elijah Mitchell. It was promising to see Mitchell get touches early on and have drives where he was the sole back. Mitchell is a talented back who had the potential to be the 49ers starter in 2022 before a series of injuries forced the 49ers to trade for CMC. The 49ers RB2 handled 11 carries and gained 42 yards, which bodes well for his fantasy managers. This means San Francisco is willing to put him enough times to be a startable low-end flex with touchdown upside.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Brandon Aiyuk (Start, WR2), Deebo Samuel (Start, WR2), George Kittle (Start, TE1)
Brandon Aiyuk returns this week against the Cardinals after taking a week to rest a shoulder injury. This could mean Aiyuk returns to the WR1 form that he had against the Steelers where he led the team in receptions, yards, and TDs. The 49ers’ offense should look better than last week with Aiyuk’s presence as an all-around route runner. Last week, the team primarily focused on attacking the middle of the field with Deebo Samuel. The King of YAC is back: in 2023, he ranks third in the NFL with 141 yards after the catch. Deebo plays with the energy of a man possessed, and anytime he gets the ball, it can be a housecall. You should have both 49ers wide receivers in your lineup, but since they eat away at each other’s ceilings, they both project as WR2s. Be sure to check their latest injury status for both, however, as Samuel and Aiyuk were both featured on Wednesday’s injury report. Be prepared to call an audible for your fantasy lineup, if necessary.
George Kittle is one weapon on this offense you should start without any worries. Kittle had nine targets last week including one in the red zone, and much like Deebo, he’s a YAC monster and ranks as the third-best tight end with 76 yards. Kittle has a 20.9% target share for the year and every catch he hauls in can turn into something big. Last week, mere mortal Jake Ferguson scored 9.8 points against this defense, so Kittle should have no problem racking up points this week, especially considering the Cardinals have no real threat at edge rusher. Go ahead and start Kittle this week with confidence.
-Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)