Deebo Samuel emerging as a favorite target for Jimmy Garoppolo

The San Francisco 49ers have been shorthanded in recent weeks, and it has opened the door for wide receiver Deebo Samuel to step up in a big way. Over the past two weeks, Samuel has averaged eight receptions and 123 yards per game. He became the first 49ers rookie to register at least eight receptions and 100 receiving yards in consecutive games, and became the first rookie to accomplish the feat since Odell Beckham Jr. did it in four straight weeks in 2014.

The 49ers were without George Kittle in Week 10 and 11, and his status for Week 12 is uncertain due to a knee injury. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders played in Week 11 after injuring his ribs in Week 10. He was on and off the field, clearly playing through pain en route to three receptions for 33 yards.

Sanders is likely to play this week against the Green Bay Packers, while Kittle is a tougher call. We won’t know until Friday at the earliest, and more likely sometime on Sunday. Even if both play, Samuel is still a solid waiver wire add. He’s emerging as a favorite target of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and is looking like a regular option in PPR leagues.

Samuel does face a tough matchup against Green Bay, who have a much better pass defense than run defense. Sanders playing might actually help Samuel since it spreads out the Packers defense a bit more. Regardless, Samuel is worth the addition in re-draft leagues as he turns into a flex and occasional WR2 option.