Week 10 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Jimmy Garoppolo had a better fantasy day than regular football day last week, throwing for 326 yards, two touchdowns and a pick in a lopsided loss to the division-rival Cardinals. Garoppolo has two straight 300-plus yard performances and has had some streaming value in deeper leagues when healthy.
This week, he’ll face a Rams defense that ranks 11th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. With a less-than-stellar matchup and his general inconsistency, it’s hard to trust him. He has low-end QB2 potential with his recent passing yard totals, but in QB1 leagues, he should remain on waivers.
Week 9 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Jimmy Garoppolo had 322 yards passing and ran in a pair of touchdowns last week against the Bears. While that’s a great fantasy line, it doesn’t seem particularly sustainable, as Garoppolo has run in just five touchdowns over the course of his career. Garoppolo’s job should be safe as long as the 49ers remain competitive, but if they fall out of playoff contention in the coming weeks, they might switch to Trey Lance – once he’s 100% healthy.
Garoppolo faces a Cardinals defense that ranks third in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks this season. While he’s had success against the Cardinals in the past, this defense is better than in previous years and will likely give him trouble. He’s an inconsistent option even in good matchups, and fantasy managers should have better options available. Leave him on waivers.
Week 8 at Chicago Bears
Jimmy Garoppolo really struggled against the Colts last week, throwing 181 yards, a touchdown and a pair of interceptions in a loss. The 49ers dropped to 2-4 and the head coach was reduced to a simple “I would guess so,” per Jennifer Lee Chan of NBCSportsBayArea.com when asked if Garoppolo remains the starter. We’ve seen this before from Garoppolo, and he usually follows it up with a bounce-back game. On the other hand, he’s never been a great fantasy option in general, so against the Bears this week – who are at least good in theory, defensively, despite last week’s performance – fantasy managers should sit Garoppolo. Look to a more stable option elsewhere with only two teams on bye this week.
Week 7 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Jimmy Garoppolo missed the week before the bye, but looks like he’s going to make the start this weekend. Watch the injury report in case of a setback, but with rookie Trey Lance also banged up, it looks like we’ll see Jimmy at least for this week.
The Colts rank 27th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks, but Garoppolo is a shaky option in general and it’s hard to recommend starting him outside of deep leagues that start two quarterbacks. We have him ranked just inside our top-20 this week, out of range for most formats. Sit him.
Week 5 at Arizona Cardinals
Jimmy Garoppolo left last week’s contest with a calf injury after 165 yards, a touchdown and a pick. He’s questionable heading into next week, but even if he starts, fantasy managers should steer clear. It’s a surprisingly difficult matchup against a Cardinals defense that ranks ninth in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks, and Garoppolo is a hit-or-miss fantasy quarterback in general. Sit him, and he’s probably droppable in most leagues.
UPDATE: Garoppolo is out. You weren't starting him anyway, but be sure to get him out of your lineup.
Week 4 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Garoppolo had an uneven performance against the Packers on Sunday night, throwing for 257 yards, a pair of touchdowns and a pick. Garoppolo is an average fantasy quarterback who rarely dips into legit QB1 territory, and his stat lines often reflect that.
This week, Garoppolo has some upside against a Seahawks defense that ranks 21st in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. Still, he shouldn’t be considered anything more than a low-end QB2 in most leagues. He simply doesn’t put up consistent enough numbers to warrant starting, and the Seahawks defense is also bad against the run. This might be a low-scoring, nasty affair.
Week 3 vs. Green Bay Packers
Jimmy Garoppolo had just 189 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles last week, though he added 20 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Garoppolo has played reasonably well through two weeks and has the 49ers off to a 2-0 start. That bodes well for his starting status, despite the presence of Trey Lance on the roster, but his fantasy value has always been more of a fringe QB2 than a legitimate QB1 option.
There’s some upside for him against the Packers this week. Green Bay has injured pass rushers and has allowed seven touchdown passes through two games so far. If you’re desperate or in a 2QB league, he’s worth considering, but in most leagues, he should probably remain on waivers.
Week 2 at Philadelphia Eagles
Jimmy Garoppolo had 314 yards and a touchdown in a victory over the Lions to start the season. Garoppolo has always been a better real quarterback than a fantasy quarterback, but he can get you through bye weeks and injuries in a pinch. He’s generally fairly efficient and made the most of his 25 passing attempts in Week 1.
Garoppolo has what looked like a decent matchup against last year’s 21st-ranked defense in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. However, the Eagles just shut down the Falcons’ offense in Week 1. I wouldn’t get too excited about Garoppolo, but if you’re desperate, he could be worth considering in 2QB leagues.
Week 1 at Detroit Lions
Jimmy Garoppolo had basically a lost season last year, missing 10 games with injury and throwing just seven touchdowns to five interceptions. Now he has number-three overall pick Trey Lance breathing down his neck.
Garoppolo does have some upside against the Lions, who were dead last in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks last season, but his lack of rushing upside and his general inconsistency as a fantasy option over his career make him hard to trust. We have him ranked as a low-end QB2 to start the season.
Fantasy Upside Make no mistake: The clock is ticking on Jimmy Garoppolo's tenure in San Francisco. The plan, for now, seems to be for No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance to develop behind Garoppolo until the rookie is deemed ready to take over permanently. But the Niners didn't trade three first-round picks to leap into the third position without some expectations. As ESPN.com notes, even though coach Kyle Shanahan isn't putting any sort of timeline on what he wants: "Jimmy to be here and I want this kid brought along. If it turns into a competition, it turns into a competition."
Fantasy Downside While the 49ers are 24-9, including the postseason, in games Garoppolo has started since he arrived in a trade with the Patriots, he's missed 23 games the past three seasons with various injuries. He played only six in 2020 because of high-ankle sprains. So given the draft-day upgrade and Garoppolo's injury history, fantasy managers should invest elsewhere for their QB2.
2021 Bottom Line Competition will be good for all involved, but it will still come as a surprise if Lance doesn't start sooner rather than later. After all, Carson Palmer in 2003 is the only quarterback during the common draft era taken in the top three not to start a single game in his rookie season.
