Week 1 vs. Los Angeles
Smith is easily San Francisco's most veteran and reliable receiver and finished last season with a 5-61-0 line in the finale against the Rams at home, making it one of his better games of the season. He had just one 100-yard game in his first season in San Francisco last season and wasn't as productive with Blaine Gabbert at QB as he was with Colin Kaepernick. He's a flex play with some upside this week.
2016 Fantasy Outlook
Torrey Smith's first season in San Francisco was forgettable to say the least. His yards per catch average of 20.1 was good. But 33 receptions and four touchdowns? That's not what anyone had in mind. He never got on the same page as Blaine Gabbert like he did with Colin Kaepernick, which is somewhat bad news since it appears Gabbert will be the starter in San Francisco. Smith should benefit from an offseason of work with Gabbert, but he's never been a high-volume receiver. He is, however, the best San Francisco has. He'll be somewhat undervalued this season. If he can get his catch total up in the 50-plus range, a 1,000-yard season could be had. But he's only had one such season in his career.
Week 17 vs. St. Louis
Smith scored last week but had just two catches for 23 yards. He has yet to catch more than two passes in a game started by Blaine Gabbert. No thanks.
Week 12 vs. Arizona
Smith had just one catch for 16 yards last week and hasn't had more than two catches in a game since Week 6. You can't even count on the off chance of him catching a long one since he hasn't done much of that this season. No thanks.
Week 10 at Seattle
Smith has one game this season with more than three receptions. Heading to Seattle isn't likely to solve that issue anytime soon.
Week 9 vs. Atlanta
Smith is probably wondering why the 49ers didn't try to move him at the trade deadline. After all, he's not being used. Even with Anquan Boldin out last week, he saw just five targets and managed two catches for 19 yards. Things won't get any better with Blaine Gabbert now at quarterback. Gabbert might be the only guy to make people wish Colin Kaepernick was back in the lineup.
Week 8 at St. Louis
Torrey Smith was shut out for the second time this season and is basically just running deep routes for the 49ers, catching an average of just two passes per game. Does that sound like somebody you want in your lineup? Didn't think so. He also doesn't have a good matchup against the Rams this week. Pass.
Week 7 vs. Seattle
As expected, Smith wanted to have a big game against his former teammates and hit the Ravens for a line of 3-96-1. He's still not getting the kind of volume looks you'd like, even as a No. 2 receiver, with just six passes thrown his way last week. That's actually on the high end for Smith, who is getting 3.8 targets per game. Playing against a Seattle defense that has allowed just one WR score this season and is second in points allowed to opposing receivers, that's not a good sign. Use Smith only as a flex.
Week 6 vs. Baltimore
You'd better believe Smith will want to show the offensively challenged Ravens they made a mistake letting him walk. He's averaging over 20 yards per catch this season, but isn't getting a big volume thrown his way - two catches for 42 yards last week and four for 96 in the past two games. But given Baltimore's struggles defending the pass, look for the 49ers to try some deep shots to Smith. He's a high-risk/high-reward flex play this week.
Week 5 at Giants
Smith had two catches for 54 yards last week after getting shut out in Week 3. He's going to be boom or bust with bust being the bigger option with Colin Kaepernick playing the way he's going right now. The Giants also are allowing opposing wideouts to average just over 10 yards per catch this season and have given up just one WR score. Don't play Smith as anything more than a flex with the possibility of getting a big score. Keep your fingers crossed.
