Jimmy Garoppolo

Fantasy Upside
As FantasyPros noted, Jimmy Garoppolo ranked eighth among eligible quarterbacks in points per pass attempt (0.51) and ninth in points per completion (0.75), but his lack of total completions and attempts kept him out of the top 15. He also averaged just 0.27 points per rushing attempt. Beyond that, a league-low 45.8 percent of Garoppolo's passing yards came through the air, which only highlights just how good Garoppolo's receivers were after the catch.

Fantasy Downside
In other words, Garoppolo hasn't exactly been the franchise quarterback his highly lucrative contract makes him out to be. Statistically, Garoppolo put together a good year in 2019. But when the 49ers needed a quick strike to regain the lead in Super Bowl LIV, Garoppolo was unable to get the job done, most notably missing an open Emmanuel Sanders deep in the waning minutes of the game.

2020 Bottom Line
The 49ers are a Super Bowl contender again in 2020, but their quarterback hasn't yet proven that he's a Super Bowl-caliber signal-caller. Nor should he even be considered a front-line fantasy starter. Are there reasons for optimism? Garoppolo threw a touchdown on 22.6 percent of his passes that went over 20 yards in the air, which led the league. Perhaps HC Kyle Shanahan will take note and let his triggerman take more shots down the field, but expecting sudden, high-end fantasy production seems like a huge reach.

Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Rams

Jimmy Garoppolo had just 200 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons last week in a surprising loss. The 49ers have now dropped three of their last six games after starting the season with eight straight wins. Garoppolo has had his moments this season, but has looked more like a caretaker than a legit fantasy option. While he torched the Saints two weeks ago, that was the only game this season where he’s put up good fantasy numbers outside of two great games against the woeful Cardinals defense. Garoppolo is getting more wins for the 49ers than he is for fantasy owners.

This isn’t an easy matchup for Garoppolo. Despite the Rams’ difficulties this season, they rank 10th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks and ninth in passing yards allowed per game. He had just 243 yards and a pick the last time he faced the Rams – although he had a rushing touchdown as well – and both teams are still fighting for something. The 49ers are looking to win the division, while the Rams are still in the mix for the final wildcard spot. This could be a grind-it-out game with rough quarterback play all around. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere in most leagues.

Week 14 at New Orleans Saints

Jimmy Garoppolo threw a tough touchdown pass early in the game against the Ravens last week, but that was his lone touchdown and he was held to just 165 yards in a close loss. The weather wasn’t good last week, but his lack of production when playing any team other than the Cardinals is not new. Eight of his 21 touchdown passes this year have come against the Cardinals and he’s averaging just 1.3 touchdowns in his other 10 games.

This week, Garoppolo has a tough matchup against New Orleans. The Saints rank seventh in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. Garoppolo is a risky streaming option in good matchups, so against a tough Saints defense, fantasy owners should look elsewhere, even in 2QB formats.