Fantasy football: 49ers Deebo Samuel a must start vs. Cardinals in Week 11

The San Francisco 49ers offense is depleted with injuries entering Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals, making wide receiver Deebo Samuel a good fantasy football option in this NFC West matchup.

With the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans all on a bye this week, some fantasy football managers could be hurting to fill out their starting lineups.

Wide receivers like the Packers’ Davante Adams and the Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, have become weekly must starts that will be greatly missed in Week 11.

Insert San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

Samuel was the Niners’ leading receiver last week on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks with eight catches for 112 yards.

The 49ers’ No. 1 wide receiver, Emmanuel Sanders, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle is listed as doubtful and is not expected to play.

A banged-up Sanders and absent Kittle gives Samuel a great chance to be the Niners’ leading receiver in back-to-back weeks.

Samuel has stepped up, recently, and looks to be gaining confidence in the second half of his rookie season.

In last week’s Monday night game, there were times he looked like vintage All-Pro receiver Steve Smith with the ball in his hands.

Just look at this run after catch where he makes two Seahawk defenders miss for a 30-yard gain:

If Sanders is able to suit up for the Week 11 matchup, then he will likely draw the Cardinals’ best cornerback, Patrick Peterson, on the majority of plays.

This should leave Samuel as the receiver who will benefit most against Arizona’s 31st ranked pass defense.

Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo absolutely shredded the Cardinals defense two weeks ago, passing for 317 yards and four touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Samuel was not on the receiving end of any of Jimmy G’s four touchdown throws against Arizona in Week 9. He had just four catches for 40 yards in that game. Kittle and Sanders were the teams leading pass catchers.

This game should be different, though. And that increases Samuel’s viability as a fantasy football option.

San Francisco’s injuries go beyond the pass catchers, too. Running backs Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert are both questionable for Week 11 as well.

If one or both of them are unable to go, the pressure would fall on the Niners passing attack to keep up with the Arizona air raid.

Back in Week 9, the Niners were just able to squeak out of Arizona with a 28-25 victory.

Another huge game from Jimmy G might be needed to beat the Cardinals again without the depth at running back the 49ers are accustomed to playing with, making the pass game a more pressing option. So, look for Samuel to be the beneficiary of a great matchup this week against Arizona.

Samuel should be considered a great value WR3 or FLEX option this week in fantasy football and is currently owned in under 20 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues, so there is a good chance he won’t cost owners anything to pick up and start.

Don’t be surprised if he surpasses 100 yards for the second time in his young career in back-to-back weeks.