Dante Pettis (WR, SF) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Dante Pettis wasn’t bad in 2018, but he wasn’t so good as to merit all the hype and praise he got this past preseason. Everybody was high on Pettis becoming the leading receiver of the 49ers (other than George Kittle), but then the season came and Pettis did about close to nothing. Luckily for his owners--and for those like you looking to add him from waivers--he’s put on a couple of good games lately and could have more good outcomes ahead.

Pettis' first two games of the season were a sight to behold and something to forget. He logged 1 target and seven yards on 37 combined snaps. Actually, in Week 1 he only played two (!) snaps on offense. Things changed in Week 3, where he finally was targeted five times and caught four passes for 20 yards and a touchdown, his best game of the year. After the bye in Week 4, he’s had a down-and-up comeback with 2.1- and 7.5-point fantasy performances.

Although Pettis’ raw numbers are not great, at least San Francisco is looking more his way lately. The 49ers are rushing more than any other team in the league and that hurts his upside, but other than George Kittle there is no clear go-to man in San Francisco’s attack. Deebo Samuel has 22 targets, and Pettis is tied with Marquise Goodwin at 15. Pettis’ has lacked production, though, as his 83 yards combined in five games pale against those of Kittle (338), Samuel (168), and Goodwin (181).

With a higher number of targets weekly and three favorable matchups ahead (San Francisco faces the fifth-, seventh-, and 13th worst defenses against WRs next), this might be one of the last chances to get Pettis on your roster for free. The 49ers have completed their bye week already, so you can hold onto Pettis once you get him as I’d say he should improve his production going forward. He’s no more than a risky flex play at this stage, but he can become a lock at the position if he can turn his opportunities into actual production.