Niner Noise
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2016 Fantasy Football: Early Stock Watch for San Francisco 49ers Players

By Peter Panacy

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Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne (38) returns a punt against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne (38) returns a punt against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Picks to Avoid: 49ers Defense/Special Teams, Running Back Jarryd Hayne and Wide Receiver Bruce Ellington

49ers 2015 Defensive Statistics

Hayne’s 2015 Statistics

Ellington’s 2015 Statistics

49ers D/ST

You’d have to be mad to suggest the 49ers will have a great defense in 2016. Last season, the Niners ranked No. 18 in points allowed (387) and gave up the fourth-most yards in the NFL (6,199). This unit also generated the second-fewest turnovers in the league (12) and posted a measly 28 sacks.

Much of this could change with some additional reinforcements this offseason, so pay close attention to that.

But how much faith do you have in new defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil and a defense at the mercy of an uptempo offense installed by head coach Chip Kelly?

No. Stay away from this unit.

Jarryd Hayne

Running back Jarryd Hayne could wind up being one of those components Kelly uses in the mold of Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles, and it’s likely Hayne will see more of the field compared to what happened last year with the former Australian rugby star.

Still, Hayne will likely be relegated to a No. 3 or No. 4 running back behind incumbents Carlos Hyde, DuJuan Harris and Mike Davis.

So unless you get impressive points for returns, don’t bother with Hayne regardless of any star-studded attachment.

Bruce Ellington

You shouldn’t have any feeling about wide receiver Bruce Ellington being a fantasy option at any point. But if you felt Kelly could turn Ellington into a wide receiver like T.Y. Hilton, think again.

Kelly has a knack for employing big-bodied receivers in his offense. So this benefits guys like wide receivers Torrey Smith and DeAndre Smelter.

Ellington is 5’9″ and 197 pounds — not exactly the ideal fit.

More from Niner Noise

Next: Predicting 49ers Risers & Fallers in Chip Kelly's Offense

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.