Fantasy Fallout: Snag Cole Beasley with Dez Bryant sidelined
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Here are the fantasy repercussions of Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant reportedly sitting out this weekend's game in San Francisco with a hairline fracture in his knee:
Super Cool Beas
Bryant's knee injury is a huge blow to a Cowboys offense that is already dealing with the extended absence of starting quarterback Tony Romo. Bryant played through the injury last week, but an MRI revealed the fracture that could keep him on the shelf multiple weeks.
Veteran WR Cole Beasley should be rostered in all formats this week, given his rapport with rookie QB Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' need to rely on the pass given that the 49ers have been decent against the run. San Francisco has limited foes to 4.0 yards per carry and two touchdowns on the ground.
Beasley has racked up 25 targets through the first three games and has been largely successful with them, snagging 20 passes for 213 yards. He's a WR3/FLEX option this week with the upside to be a low-end WR2 if he can catch his first touchdown pass of the season.
Nothing Easy for Elliott
Those thinking the absence of Bryant will mean more fantasy success for rookie RB Ezekiel Elliott may want to think again. The 49ers will likely look to stack the box Sunday, which could mean a rough time for Elliott; Los Angeles Rams stud Todd Gurley managed just 47 yards on 17 carries in Week 1.
You're playing Elliott if you drafted him, and his floor is secure enough that he should still make for a high-end RB2 at worst. Dallas will see plenty of possession time against the hot-potato San Francisco offense, and the 49ers have already been run on 91 times - third-most in the league.
Game flow might actually work in Elliott's favor, as well; the 49ers were one of the stingiest teams in the league at home last season, and Bryant's injury has already knocked the line down a point to Dallas -2. A close game bodes well for Elliott; he's a strong volume play, but his ceiling is muted.
Witten's Worth a Look
Nobody else is worth investing in on the Dallas side of the ball other than TE Jason Witten, who should see a ton of targets in this one. Witten has been one of Prescott's most dependable options, coming into Week 4 with 14 catches on 20 targets for 142 yards.
The 49ers have been victimized by the position this season, having already allowed 16 receptions for 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns to opposing tight ends. Seattle Seahawks veteran Jimmy Graham stomped on the 49ers to the tune of six catches for 100 yards and a score last week.
Consider Witten a back-end TE1 this week; his floor will be satisfactory for daily fantasy cash games, though he lacks the ceiling of a Greg Olsen or a Travis Kelce due to his aversion to touchdowns. Still, given the uncertainty at the position, Witten is a nice, safe pick this week.