Week 9 vs. Oakland Raiders
Matt Breida was expected to miss last week’s game against the Cardinals, but he wound up logging 16 carries. He only gained 42 yards, but it was good to see him active. Breida is clearly the number one rushing option when healthy, though it’s been frustrating for fantasy owners to play the waiting game each week on whether or not he’ll be active.
This week, Breida faces a Raiders defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season, including giving up a pair of touchdowns to Marlon Mack last week. Assuming there are not hiccups with his health, Breida has RB2 potential Thursday night in a great matchup. Keep an eye on his health status though.
Week 8 at Arizona Cardinals
Matt Breida ended up playing in each of the past two games despite being nicked up, but he left Sunday early and is a question mark this week against the Cardinals. Mid-week reports have been fairly positive for the versatile playmaker, but fantasy owners should take a cautious, wait-and-see approach to him this week due to his questionable injury status.
Week 7 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Matt Breida has been fairly solid when he’s been on the field, but he’s had nagging injuries that have limited him in several games. Even though he’s started every game this year, his frequent addition to the injury report has been frustrating for owners. Still, he has a touchdown in each of his past two games, and is averaging 12.3 touches per game.
This week, keep an eye on Breida’s status. If healthy, he should be in for another dozen or so touches and possibly more work in the passing game against the Rams, who are quietly allowing the fifth-highest yards per attempt in the run game this year. He has risk as a part-time, oft-injured player, but he has upside every week and should be considered a low-end RB2 or flex option, particularly in PPR formats.
Week 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Matt Breida had 12 touches, including three receptions, for a total of 71 yards from scrimmage last week. He left the game due to a shoulder injury, but if he’s healthy, he should remain a focal point of the offense. C.J. Beathard has relied heavily upon his tight ends and running backs in the passing game, making Breida a high-floor option in most leagues, particularly PPR formats.
This week, check Breida’s health status before using him, but he should get another dozen or so touches if active. The Cardinals have given up the second-most fantasy points to the running back position so far this season, so there’s high upside for Breida as a solid RB2 this week, particularly in PPR leagues.
Week 4 at Los Angeles Chargers
Matt Breida had a nice game last week against the Chiefs, gaining 117 total yards on 13 touches, including three receptions. He should continue to be active in the passing game and get change-of-pace carries, giving him value in all leagues, with added PPR potential. The injury to Jimmy Garoppolo will hurt the 49ers offense as a whole, but Carlos Hyde averaged 5.2 receptions per game with C.J. Beathard at the helm a year ago. Breida is a more talented receiver than Alfred Morris, who figures to get the bulk of the two-down work moving forward.
This week, Breida is risky, but he should still be active in the passing game, giving him low-end flex potential. The Chargers have been below-average against running backs this year, but they should force the 49ers to throw the ball, which could mean more snaps and more check-down receptions for Breida.
Week 3 at Kansas City Chiefs
Aided by a 66-yard touchdown at the end of the third quarter, Matt Breida turned in an excellent fantasy performance against the Lions last week. He turned 14 touches (three receptions, 11 carries) into 159 total yards. Breida is the more versatile option in the 49ers backfield and he’s had 26 touches in two games, giving him RB2 upside moving forward.
This week Breida faces a Chiefs defense that has only given up 123 yards to opposing running backs on the ground, but they have allowed 21 receptions and 261 receiving yards to the position. Expect Breida to get another dozen or so touches and be active in the passing game, which should see him put up low-end RB2 numbers.
Week 2 vs. Detroit Lions
Matt Breida should probably be graded on a curve for his Week 1 performance against an elite Vikings defense. He only finished with 51 yards from scrimmage, but he averaged 4.2 yards per carry—a full yard more than Alfred Morris—and he looked healthy coming off a preseason injury.
This week, Breida should have more space to work with against a Lions defense that just allowed 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns to the combination of Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell. While much of that was due to the Jets taking control of the game in the third quarter, a lot was due to a lack of containment up front. Breida is a risk because he doesn’t get full-time work, but he should get another 10-15 touches, including a few receptions. That would give him some deep-league value, particularly in PPR formats.
Week 1 at Minnesota Vikings
With Jerick McKinnon lost for the season, Matt Breida is expected to pick up the bulk of the work on passing downs this season, splitting touches with veteran Alfred Morris in the backfield. That might be enough to make Breida an interesting fantasy option in most weeks, but he’ll start the season in a tough matchup against the Vikings, who allowed the fewest amount of fantasy points to opposing running backs a year ago. Breida has some deep value in PPR formats, but should largely be avoided in Week 1 due to the matchup.
Fantasy Upside
Breida was a surprise last season, yet the 49ers were far from a good running team. That's why they let Carlos Hyde walk as a free agent this offseason and replaced him with former Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon. That San Francisco made McKinnon the fourth-highest paid running back in the NFL suggests a major role for the newcomer. But does that mean the McKinnon will succeed in the lead role? That's to be determined. In the interim, we shouldn't dismiss the fact that Breida is also a good fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan's one-cut zone system and has proven to be capable of more than spot duty.
Fantasy Downside
The team's investment means McKinnon will have a more-than ample opportunity to prove he's worthy. If he is, Breida won't see much time.
2018 Bottom Line
As Bleacher Report recently suggested, Breida isn't an explosive back, but he's capable of making the correct reads and keeping the offense ahead of the chains, which is valued by Shanahan. Joe Williams is also in the mix here, but Breida is the first in line behind McKinnon.
Week 7 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Matt Breida got just 6 touches last week after getting 13 the previous week, as Carlos Hyde got 18 touches. That doesn't bode well for Breida, who did have 36 total yards. He's a very low-end flex play.
