49ers vs. Raiders: Who to start or sit for fantasy football

Quarterback

This is going to be an interesting situation because C.J. Beathard is a game-time decision, so with him going out, it would be time for Nick Mullens to shine. But really, in a 8-12 team league, let’s hope you don’t have Beathard or Mullens on your roster.

The 49ers

Despite the Raiders allowing the ninth most points to opposing quarterbacks this year, there should be no way you should start either one of the potential 49ers quarterbacks. I mean, if you have to start either Beathard or Mullens, you’ve already lost your league.

In most 8-12 team leagues, even if you need to start 2 quarterbacks, there will be better options than these two. Mullens has yet to take a regular-season snap, or even be on a roster for an entire year, while Beathard averages 9.4 ppg in ESPN’s PPR Scoring. You can do much better than that. This is a major spot to avoid until further notice. Don’t start a Niner QB.

Verdict: Sit

The Raiders

Again, if you’re rolling with Derek Carr, there is something very wrong with you. However, against a reeling 49ers team coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Cardinals, there is some upside.

The 49ers typically give up the sixth most points to quarterbacks, and Derek Carr has shown he can have some great performances. He’s no Patrick Mahomes or Jared Goff (both of whom I happen to have on my team), but in single-QB leagues, if you have your QB on the bye, he would be a strategic pickup.

If you have an established fantasy star as your QB, don’t pick up Carr to maximize your points. But if you have Joe Flacco or Case Keenum or a QB not playing, Carr might be a good low-risk move

Verdict: Start (only if you don’t have a good QB already)