BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues
OWNED IN: 5% Owned in Fleaflicker
ANALYSIS: McDonald has taken over as San Francisco’s starting tight end since Garrett Celek sprained an ankle and has quietly been solid. In three of his last five games he has racked up 60-plus yards along with a touchdown, including this past Sunday against the Detroit Lions. The man is legit.
McDonald is a former second-round pick who has never gotten a fair shot between Vernon Davis blocking him from starting and some injuries slowing him down. But with Davis and Celek now out of the way McDonald is proving that there was good reason why the 49ers spent a second-round pick on him.
San Francisco is hosting the St. Louis Rams this weekend in a battle of division rivals who have absolutely nothing to play for. The Rams are maddeningly inconsistent, including on defense, but chances are they are primed for a letdown after their shocking road win at Seattle this past weekend. McDonald will not be blanketed considering the Rams have the 21st-ranked pass defense in the league.
McDonald has a lot going for him these days. Surprisingly, one of them is quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who has shocked fantasy owners and the entire NFL by playing adequately the past month. I think McDonald is ready to have another game of 60 yards and a score this weekend, so pick him up if you need TE help.