Fantasy Preview: 49ers Are Already Dealing With Injuries Again, But Purdy Is Still Solid

By Jack Dougherty

The San Francisco 49ers were ravaged by injuries last season, leading to a 6-11 record and a last-place finish in the NFC West. Things aren’t looking much better heading into 2025, as the wide receiver room (Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing, Russell Gage), defensive line (Kevin Givens, Mykel Williams, Yetur Gross-Matos) and secondary (Malik Mustapha, Deommodore Lenoir, Uptown Stout, Jason Pinnock) are already dealing with injuries. 

The 49ers also lost Deebo Samuel, Jordan Mason, Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward and others in the offseason. Still, with Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and head coach Kyle Shanahan back, and Robert Saleh returning as the defensive coordinator, San Fran is the heavy favorite to win the NFC West. 

Odds to Make Playoffs: -205

Quarterback: Brock Purdy

• 2024-25 stats: 15 games, 300-455, 65.9% completion, 3,864 yards, 8.5 yards per attempt, 96.1 passer rating, 20 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

• In the last two seasons, Purdy has quietly finished as the QB8 and the QB10 in fantasy points per game. The wide receiver injuries are concerning, but Purdy still has Kittle and (hopefully) a full season of McCaffrey running routes out of the backfield. He’s a fringe QB1 in 2025 and a solid value later in drafts. 

Running Back: Christian McCaffrey

• 2024-25 stats: 4 games, 50 carries, 202 yards, 4.0  average, 0 touchdowns, 50.5 yards/game, 1 fumble lost

• McCaffrey’s value depends on how much risk you’re willing to take on in the first round. He should be the first or second overall pick if he’s guaranteed to play the full season, but his Achilles injury forced him to miss 13 games last year and could be an issue again in 2025. 

Wide Receiver: Ricky Pearsall

• 2024-25 stats: 11 games, 31 receptions, 46 targets, 400 yards, 12.9 average, 3 touchdowns, 36.4 yards/game, 114 yards after catch

• Pearsall has a golden opportunity to take over the No. 1 WR role in San Francisco with Jennings injured and Aiyuk expected to miss at least the first four games of the season. If you can grab Pearsall in the eighth or ninth round in your draft, you could have a league-winner on your hands. 

Tight End: George Kittle 

• 2024-25 stats: 15 games, 78 receptions, 94 targets, 1,106 yards, 14.2 average, 8 touchdowns, 73.7 yards/game, 522 yards after catch

• Kittle led all tight ends in fantasy points per game (15.8) last season, yet he’s often going two rounds after Brock Bowers and Trey McBride come off the board in drafts. Purdy’s premier target is a strong value if you can snag him in the fourth round. 

Defense

• 2024-25 stats: 25.6 points allowed per game, 43.06% 3rd down, 65.38% 4th down, 11 interceptions, 37 sacks, 13 fumbles caused, 6 fumbles recovered, 1 touchdown

• It’s hard to trust this defense after it lost so much talent in free agency, but Bosa and Warner are still here, and Saleh’s return should raise the floor. The 49ers also have the easiest schedule in the NFL in 2025, so the defense could be worth a pick in the last two rounds.