Week 1 kicks off with the 49ers visiting Seattle in a clash that carries playoff-like pressure. SF is a 2.5-point favorite with a 43.5 total, a shade under most Week 1 games, signaling a defensive-minded opener. San Francisco relies on Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy, while Seattle tries to slow them with a seasoned defensive approach.

The fantasy storyline centers on Purdy’s 243-yard prop and McCaffrey’s 72.5 rushing line, with SF’s receiving corps still shaping up. Expect Shanahan to lean on McCaffrey and test Seattle’s front. DK Metcalf and Geno Smith face a recalibrated SF defense, while the Niners look to push for a near-100-yard rushing day for McCaffrey. Laying the points with SF looks smart, with Purdy and McCaffrey as the core DFS anchors.

Week 1 features the NFC West’s fiercest clash as the 49ers visit Seattle. San Francisco arrives with a healthy, star-studded offense led by Purdy and friends McCaffrey, Aiyuk, and Kittle, aiming to remind the league their championship window is still wide open. Seattle counters with a revamped attack under a new scheme and Darnold at the helm, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba ready to spark the offense.

Expect a physical, sometimes messy opening half, then SF’s depth, coaching edge, and playmakers pull away. Smith-Njigba could provide the Seahawks a meaningful spark with 70+ receiving yards and a TD, while Purdy, McCaffrey, and Kittle anchor a late surge for the visitors.

Jauan Jennings returns to 49ers practice after calf injury and a suspected contract holdout, setting the stage for an unsettled Week 1 at Seattle. His reintroduction comes with questions about speed, route timing, and overall conditioning after limited camp time. The SF offense may lean on Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle early, while Jennings works to regain his role and trust in the offense.

Historical holdouts suggest a cautious ramp, and the calf risk adds another layer of risk for fantasy managers. If Jennings isn’t fully back by Week 1, Seattle’s defense could clamp down, making Jennings a risky Week 1 option with potential to trend up as he proves he’s fully operational in the following weeks.

Ricky Pearsall’s life-or-death moment last year fueling a formal comeback, he reframes the shooting with a focus on growth and positivity. He returned to the field in 50 days and finished his rookie season strong, positioning himself for a de facto No. 1 role in San Francisco as injuries bite Aiyuk and Jennings. Offseason work with Purdy sharpened timing and route discipline, while Pearsall contemplates forgiveness and a potential face-to-face with the shooter someday.

As the Niners brace for Seattle, Pearsall’s improved camp and chemistry with Purdy suggest a real ceiling. The offense demands precision and timing, and Pearsall has made himself the embodiment of resilience and progress, a beacon for fantasy managers eyeing a late-career breakout.

Valdes-Scantling's insider edge from six months with SF could unlock deeper shots against Seattle in Week 1, boosting SF's ceiling on the outside and giving Garoppolo-like comfort throws to stretch the field early.

ESPN highlighted Upton Stout as an under-the-radar rookie who, if healthy, should start in SF's nickel, potentially shifting matchup dynamics and elevating SF's mid-range attack as Seattle adjusts to a faster slot defender.

With Deebo Samuel moving to Washington and Brandon Aiyuk out until Week 6, Pearsall must lift, pushing Valdes-Scantling into a bigger role. SF's receiving corps thins quickly, so MVS and Pearsall become focal points early, shaping Week 1 targets and fantasy upside.

Week 1 against Seattle will test SF's WR depth, George Kittle usage, and a defense facing a familiar foe. The opener could be high-variance: big-play opportunities for Valdes-Scantling, value-filled targets for Pearsall, and a need for efficient play-action to spark the offense.