As fantasy football managers get ready for Week 15 and make the final tweaks to their roster ahead of the playoffs, changes in depth charts based on who is available will be a critical point to keep an eye on this weekend. One of those situations occurs in San Francisco as they head into their matchup with the Falcons without Elijah Mitchell due to injury. Does that make Jeff Wilson an automatic starter, or is someone like JaMycal Hasty set to take fantasy managers by surprise in week 15?
Elijah Mitchell has been ruled out for Week 15
Unfortunately, Mitchell could not shake off his injuries to suit up Sunday. He missed last week’s game due to a concussion he sustained in their 30-23 loss to the Seahawks in Week 13.
Mitchell is expected to clear the concussion protocol before Sunday’s kickoff. However, he is also dealing with a knee injury which seems to have head coach Kyle Shanahan concerned for the rookie’s immediate future.
When asked about his thoughts on Mitchell’s availability for Thursday Night Football in Week 16, Shanahan said, “I’m not optimistic, but I hope so.” Mitchell also suffered a knee injury on December 5, hampering the 49ers’ leading rusher.
“It’s just the pain tolerance with the knee,” Shanahan said. “We thought it would have gone down faster, and it hasn’t as quickly as we thought it would.” With Mitchell out this week and maybe future games, who can fantasy managers rely on as the playoffs kick off, or is there no reliable backup option?
Jeff Wilson is a risky flex option for fantasy managers in Week 15
Wilson had to wait several weeks to make his debut in 2021. In May, Wilson underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus and started the season on the PUP list, which carried a six-game minimum absence.
It took until Week 11 for Wilson to step on the field. Since making his comeback, Wilson has seen a fair share of the workload. The issue is there has been little to show for it.
Wilson has rushed 10 or more times in three of five games, including 19 carries in Week 11. However, he has just 139 rushing yards (3.1 ypc). Wilson is averaging just 0.6 targets per game and has yet to score 7.0 or more PPR points in a single game. The matchup is great against the Falcons, who are 25th vs. RBs in fantasy points allowed (25.6).
Plus, he will likely see a workload similar to what Mitchell received in the 16-19 touch range. Nevertheless, it’s going to require him falling into the end zone to give fantasy managers anything to write home about. And that’s not something I want to rely on in the playoffs. Wilson is a lower-end RB3 — I’m struggling to feel comfortable starting him. Unless you lack a better option, it’s safer to look elsewhere.
JaMycal Hasty should only be considered in deep fantasy leagues
A second-year player, JaMycal Hasty has faced an uphill battle in a crowded backfield. Last year, he had to fend off Tevin Coleman while stuck in a committee behind Raheem Mostert. This year, it’s not only Mitchell leading the team but also rookie Trey Sermon. Hasty has seen minimal work this season. He has carried the ball more than 5 times just once and has made his biggest contribution as a passing-down RB.
Hasty has 16 receptions on 21 targets for 101 yards. That’s, well, not a lot to hang your hat on if you are a fantasy manager. The 49ers simply have too many talented options to utilize Hasty in any meaningful way outside of deep fantasy formats. Beyond those, Hasty should not be on rosters barring further shakeups to the depth chart.