49ers at Panthers: 5 best fantasy options
By John Buhler
3. Carlos Hyde
If there is any player to start on your fantasy team from the 49ers this week, go with bell-cow back Carlos Hyde. While ESPN.com only has him at 6.2 projected points and NFL.com just slightly better at 7.50, Kelly is going to lean on Hyde in this game against the Panthers to move the chains.
San Francisco doesn’t have the perimeter weapons to regularly get first downs. However, the 49ers will be a strong run-first team under Kelly this season. Hyde is a great first-string tailback when healthy. The ageless Shaun Draughn did a fine job of spelling Hyde in Week 1. Let’s not forget that Gabbert is a poor man’s Alex Smith: an accurate short-throw passer with great foot speed.
The 49ers are going to struggle getting into the end zone for most of Week 2 against the Panthers defense. However if the 49ers get into the red zone once, expect Hyde to get the touchdown for San Francisco in this game.
Fantasy experts believe that he will get 60 to 75 yards on the ground for the 49ers in Week 2. He might do a tad better than that, maybe even break the century mark if the Panthers defense struggles with Kelly’s up-tempo style. With a rushing touchdown and 80 rushing yards, Hyde is looking at a 14 to 15-point fantasy day on Sunday against a tough Carolina defense.
Next: 2. Greg Olsen