Fantasy Player Projections

Alex Smith

Smith missed Week 11 due to a concussion, but he was close to playing before the Niners decided to sideline him. It seems like he could play in Week 12, but check his status as kickoff approaches. If he does play, he could be a decent sleeper against a bad Saints pass defense.

Colin Kaepernick

Kaepernick started against the Bears Monday night because Alex Smith was still dealing with a concussion. If Smith can't play in Week 12, Kaepernick will go against one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Even if Smith plays, Kaepernick will see a few snaps.

Frank Gore

The Saints are allowing a league-worst 157 rushing yards per game, and teams are picking up more than five yards per carry against them. Gore will be one of the top fantasy running backs this week, once again.

Kendall Hunter

Hunter's touches have been different each week, but the 49ers should lean on their running game against the league's worst rushing defense. Hunter is still Frank Gore's backup, however, which limits his fantasy appeal.

Michael Crabtree

Crabtree remains the top receiving option for the 49ers, and the Saints are weak against the pass. That means Crabtree should do well no matter which quarterback starts.

Mario Manningham

The Saints allow a ton of fantasy points to wide receivers, but Manningham remains hit-or-miss. Don't get overly confident in starting the former Giants wide receiver in Week 12.

Vernon Davis

Davis is still inconsistent from a fantasy perspective, but the Saints' defense is not good. Davis remains a good fantasy starter who could have a 100-yard game on any given week.

David Akers

Akers has been a big disappointment after being drafted as one of the first kickers in fantasy over the summer. Even so, the 49ers should move the ball relatively easily against the Saints, which makes him a good kicker in Week 12.

The 49ers' defense has not been as strong from a fantasy perspective as it was last season, but it still gets to the quarterback and keeps the opponents' scores down. Despite a trip to high-scoring New Orleans, the Niners still deserve to be starting in fantasy play.

Drew Brees

Brees has 14 touchdown passes and three interceptions in his past five games since the Saints' bye week. The 49ers are tough against the pass, but Brees is a must-start quarterback in fantasy play no matter the opponent.

Mark Ingram

Ingram is finally starting to show some life after being drafted in the first round last year. He has 67 rushing yards in his past two games, along with one touchdown. As long as Darren Sproles (hand) is sidelined, Ingram is worth using as a flex player.

Pierre Thomas

Thomas totaled 58 yards against the Raiders in Week 11, and he continues to do just enough to ruin the other running backs' fantasy value. There are too many cooks in the kitchen in New Orleans' backfield, and Thomas is the odd man out.

Chris Ivory

Ivory rushed eight times for 37 yards against the Raiders in Week 11, and now he faces the 49ers, the other team across the Bay. With Darren Sproles (hand) close to returning and Ingram playing well, Ivory's fantasy value is dimming.

Darren Sproles

Sproles missed his third game in a row with a hand injury, but he continues to get closer to a return. The 49ers' defense is formidable, so even if Sproles comes back this week, he's just a flex option in standard leagues and an RB2 in PPR leagues.

Marques Colston

Colston caught four passes for a team-high 69 yards against the Raiders, but he was unable to score for the third week in a row. Colston now faces a Niners defense that has allowed just eight passing touchdowns all season. Even so, he's a top-20 wide receiver once again.

Lance Moore

Moore caught just two passes, but they both went for touchdowns against the Raiders in Week 11. The 49ers' defense is one of the best against the pass, but Moore has earned WR3 status.

Jimmy Graham

Graham caught a team-high six passes for 29 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders in Week 11. He has now scored in eight of 10 games this season and should do so again versus the 49ers.

Garrett Hartley

Hartley hit a 47-yard field goal and five extra points against the Raiders in Week 11. He now has two field goals and 20 extra points in the five games since the Saints' bye week. He's a borderline fantasy starter in Week 12 against a tough 49ers defense.

The Saints' defense scored against the Raiders on a 55-yard interception return and it also posted three sacks and two forced turnovers. With Alex Smith still dealing with a concussion, the Saints' defense could see more turnover opportunities in Week 12.