Fantasy Football 2014: Top 10 Quarterbacks

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) roars after his fourth quarter touchdown in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

Colin Kaepernick

Since the former Nevada Quarterback took the NFL by storm in his Sophomore year, reaching the Super Bowl after replacing starting QB Alex Smith midway into the season, he has been praised, criticized and criticized some more for the majority of the season. What we have seen from Kaepernick all his 2013 season has been his lack of a passing presence. In 2013, Kaepernick averaged only 199.8 passing yards per game (ranked 30th in the league), while rushing for 524 of the 49ers’ 2,201 rushing yards this season (ranks 3rd in the NFL). Compared to Kaepernick’s 2012 season where he averaged 226.7 yards and 62.4% completion percentage through the air as well as 38 yards rushing per game, 2013 was considerably less productive. This season, Kaepernick averaged just 199.8 passing yards and a 58.4% completion percentage through the air as well as only rushing for 32.75 yards per game. What could be most attributed to Kaepernick’s drop-off? Well for starters, Kaepernick’s favorite target Michael Crabtree tore his achilles heel before the start of the regular season and was forced to miss all but 5 games this season. Another factor could be the 49ers’ reliance on their running game. This season while their passing offense was the 3rd-worst in the NFL, their rushing offense was the 3rd-best. But in reality that is no excuse for the 3rd-year QB to be completing only 58% of his throws and turn the ball over 10 times. What was great though about Kaepernick in these 2013 playoffs was that even with all of the odds stacked against him, he was able to put up two solid performances against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the Wild Card round and then Cam Newton and the Panthers in the Divisional Round.

In Kaepernick’s first two playoff games, he averaged 211.5 yards through the air as well as 56.5 yards on the ground including a rushing touchdown against the Panthers. With all of that said, when looking at Kaepernick’s fortunes for the 2014 season, I think they’re bright. The addition of Kaepernick’s favorite target Anquan boldin has helped the 49ers immensely. In 2013, Boldin was able to catch 85 passes for 1,179 yards and seven touchdowns. His counterpart TE Vernon Davis was also just as lucky, catching 52 passes for 850 yards and 13 touchdowns. Now reason why the 49ers lacked a passing game in 2013 was because they had hardly any other receivers. In 2014, the 49ers have many more receivers to chose from. For instance, former Buffalo Bill Stevie Johnson (averaged 1,041 yards, 7.6 touchdowns and 79 receptions from 2010-2012) will be joining the likes of rookie Bruce Ellington (687.5, 44.5 receptions and 7.5 touchdowns in final two seasons as a Gamecock) and sophomore WR Quinton Patton (1,297 yards, 12 touchdowns and 91.5 receptions in final two seasons at Louisiana Tech). I think that we shouldn’t see a huge spike in production from Kaepernick, however I think that a spike will most definitely be present. Last season the 49ers’ problem was lack of talent. In 2014 with new receivers, that should be a thing of the past. Kaepernick is the ultimate dual-threat fantasy QB. Sure he under-performed in 2013, but now is he chance to redeem himself.