Fansided

32 breakout fantasy football players for the 2016-17 NFL season

By Andrew C. Lovell

May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys number one draft pick Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs drills during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2016; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys number one draft pick Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs drills during rookie minicamp at Dallas Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) attempts to catch the ball in the third quarter in front of New York Giants safety Craig Dahl (R) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) attempts to catch the ball in the third quarter in front of New York Giants safety Craig Dahl (R) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco 49ers – TE Vance McDonald

This is a tough one. Not because McDonald doesn’t have any upside — he does. The 49ers just have one of the most barren rosters in the NFL in terms of talent.

The team is either going to start Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick at quarterback. Neither of those players inspire much fear in opposing defenses. Running back Carlos Hyde is a nice piece, but as we saw last season, when he’s healthy, he can’t do it alone. Wide receiver is a mess — it’s Torrey Smith, Jerome Simpson and a bunch of unknowns.

Trying to identify a true breakout player on San Francisco’s roster is … well, it’s not easy. That brings us to McDonald, who showed some flashes last season.

He finished with 30 receptions for 326 yards and three touchdowns, which ranked third, fourth and second on the team, respectively. McDonald was largely a non-factor for the 49ers until later in the season. He had 65 yards and a touchdown against Seattle in Week 11 and 71 yards and a score against Arizona in Week 12.

Unless Kelly can work miracles with the offense, and McDonald becomes an every-down tight end that has an Ertz-like breakthrough, the safest play is probably just avoiding 49ers players for fantasy purposes. Harsh, but true.

Next: Seattle Seahawks

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