Week 6 at Los Angeles Rams
Dante Pettis only caught one pass for 11 yards on Monday night and was targeted just three times in a blowout victory over the Browns. However, there’s reason for some long-term optimism. He was second among 49ers receivers in snaps and if his playing time continues to grow, he has the big-play ability to produce. He’s still far too risky to have in your lineup at this point, but is worth adding to deeper rosters just in case he turns it around.
Week 5 vs. Cleveland Browns
Dante Pettis only had 20 yards against the Steelers before the bye last week, but he caught the game-winning touchdown and hauled in four of the five balls thrown his way. Pettis was dreadful the first two weeks, as he saw only 3% of the snaps in Week 1 and failed to register a target in Week 2. However, he’s been on the field for over 40% of the snaps in his last two games and he’s worth keeping an eye on in deep leagues where you can afford the roster spot.
Week 2 at Cincinnati Bengals
Dante Pettis had only one target, which he caught for seven yards against the Buccaneers last week. The more concerning thing was that he was on the field for only two offensive snaps. He was supposedly dealing with a calf issue, but fantasy owners should take a wait-and-see approach with him moving forward after such limited playing time. The offseason negativity surrounding Pettis’ standing in the offense seems so far to have been justified, but it’s too early to drop him if you can stash him at the back end of your roster. I’d leave him on the bench though, even in a nice matchup against the Bengals, and wait a couple of weeks to see if his health and/or snaps get to where we all expected heading into the season.
Week 1 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dante Pettis had an up-and-down rookie year, finishing with only 27 receptions, but averaging 17.3 yards per catch and scoring five touchdowns. Entering his second season, he’ll be expected to take a big leap to help create space for the offense with his blazing speed. Reports out of training camp were negative throughout the month of August, but there are some who believe it may have been a motivational tactic. He’s listed as a starter heading into Week 1.
Against the Buccaneers, Pettis has some upside. Only the Saints, Jets and Eagles allowed more fantasy points per game to opposing receivers last year. Pettis is risky, as are all the receivers in San Francisco, but he has a lot of upside for gambling owners who are willing to take the risk. We have him as a low-end WR3 option in larger leagues to start the season, and he’s a boom-bust pick.
Fantasy Upside
The 49ers continue to have huge expectations for Dante Pettis as he enters his second NFL season. San Francisco's second-round pick of 2018 came on strong toward the end of his rookie campaign with 20 catches, 359 yards and four touchdowns coming in the final five games of the season. "We loved the way he closed this season," GM John Lynch said. "There's some maturation that I think is naturally going to come in terms of putting some girth on and some strength. I think this offseason is very important for him." Pettis was pretty sure-handed in 2018, only dropping two passes over the course of the whole regular season as he finished the year with 467 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Added strength and body mass will help make him more physical, durable and explosive in 2019 and beyond. More than that, the return of Jimmy Garoppolo should have a major impact as Pettis did his damage down the stretch with backup Nick Mullens under center.
Fantasy Downside
Based on QB play alone, expecting an increase in production is reasonable although the addition of Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd (and the presence of heavily-targeted tight end George Kittle) could be limiting factors.
2019 Bottom Line
Even with the wide range of offensive talent (which extends through the running back position) that could cap his production, it's hard to view Pettis as anything but the de facto WR1 in San Francisco, at least until somebody else proves otherwise. Given his current price (as a fantasy WR4), there's upside to be had here if Pettis continues to progress.
Week 16 vs. Chicago Bears
Dante Pettis didn’t blow up last week, but he had a nice game with five receptions and 83 yards. Pettis has strung together four straight games with double-digit fantasy points in PPR formats, and his role in the offense seems to be expanding. He’s now second on the team in receiving yards and his five touchdowns lead the team.
Pettis faces the Bears, who have been dominant on defense this season, but have given up surprisingly the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this year. Pettis is a boom-bust prospect against a tough defense, but he has some upside for fantasy owners needing to swing a little bit at the WR3 spot. He’s always a threat to score from distance.
Week 15 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Dante Pettis is a risky player to trust, but he has seven targets in each of his last three games and has scored four of his five touchdowns during that span. With an ailing receiving corps, Pettis is getting more looks and has been productive with the additional opportunities.
This week, Pettis has some boom/bust upside in a tough matchup against the Seahawks. While Seattle is above average against wide receivers this season, Pettis may have an opportunity to continue his streak as a playmaker. Fantasy owners should know the risks associated with using him, but as a high risk/reward player, Pettis is worth gambling on. There are limited weapons in the 49ers offense, and Pettis has shown his explosiveness.
Week 14 vs. Denver Broncos
Dante Pettis has been excellent the last two weeks. After scoring his second touchdown of the season against the Buccaneers, he caught five balls for 129 yards and two touchdowns against the Seahawks last week. Pettis is risky as an emerging young player on a bad team using their third-string quarterback, but he’s an interesting risk-reward option for fantasy owners looking for a desperation starter. Ideally, fantasy owners would want an easier matchup than the Broncos as the playoffs start, but as an all-or-nothing option, Pettis is worth considering in deep leagues.
Week 3 at Kansas City Chiefs
Dante Pettis has only caught three passes this year but has averaged a staggering 32 yards per catch, including scoring a touchdown in Week 1. It’s too early to trust Pettis, but if he continues to develop a strong rapport with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and if Marquise Goodwin struggles to get back on the field, Pettis could develop into a potential WR2 option down the line. Fantasy owners in deep leagues should consider stashing him. Against the Chiefs this week, he has upside, but his lack of consistent targets makes it difficult to recommend starting him in most formats.
Week 2 vs. Detroit Lions
Dante Pettis had a nice start to his career, catching two balls for 61 yards, one of which went for a touchdown. He was also targeted five times as he worked outside the hash marks in relief of the injured Marquise Goodwin. Pettis is too risky to trust this week against the Lions. However, in deep leagues, he may be worth adding to a roster for potential long-term upside. If Goodwin misses the contest, Pettis might have some quick-strike value if you’re desperate.
