To say Alex Smith exceeded expectations in 2009 would be an understatement. The fourth year pro out of Utah entered the season as the backup to Shaun Hill in San Francisco and was not projected to make a fantasy football impact. In fact, Smith was an fantasy afterthought and went un-drafted in the majority of leagues. However, with Hill struggling through the 49ers first six games it opened the door for Smith to get an opportunity in Week 7 and he never looked back.

Smith started the 49ers final 10 games and he led the team to a 5-5 record during that span while posting some worthy statistics along the way. In 11 total games he managed to throw for 2,350 yards, 18 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. His 81.5 QB rating was a career high and for the first time in his career he completed over 60 percent of his passes.

Despite a short season Smith finished with 138 fantasy points while scoring double-digit points in eight of his 11 games played. With Smith guaranteed the job in 2010, he enters the season as a player that looks to be on the rise but the track record of letting people down. The 49ers have three excellent playmakers in Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree and if Smith can get him the football he should improve on his 2009 totals.

On paper, it looks like Smith can continue to turn the corner but will this translate into game action?

Please project Smith’s 2010 statistics based on the following categories….

Games Played:
Passing Yards:
Passing Touchdowns:
Interceptions:

Rushing Yards:
Rushing Touchdowns:

Finally, what round (and why) would you target Smith in a 12-team standard scoring league?

NOTE: Please copy/paste the statistics you are projecting into your return message. This will help everyone follow a template and make things easier to come up with the FINAL PROJECTION for each player based on what the Bruno Boys Nation thinks.

Finally, what round (and why) would you target Smith in a 12-team standard scoring league?

He will likely go undrafted in my 10 team leagues

Black Tetra - 14 February 2010 10:22 AM

Finally, what round (and why) would you target Smith in a 12-team standard scoring league?

He will likely go undrafted in my 10 team leagues

In 10 team leagues, start one QB, I could see that happening Black Tetra. The guys who draft a “stud” QB will probably load up on depth, rather than snagging a second QB, leaving guys like Smith on the waiver wire. I can really see Smith making a nice progression in 2010 and being a solid fantasy contributor. I am still running some numbers before I give my February prediction for Smith; however, I already know of four games (St. Louis twice, Atlanta, Kansas City) that Smith should produce. Plus, he gets Seattle and Arizona twice, and neither of those defenses look to enter next season in the “elite” category against the pass.

Consider him a low risk, high reward, draft pick in 2010.

Games Played: 16
Passing Yards: 3,350
Passing Touchdowns: 19
Interceptions: 11

Rushing Yards: 110
Rushing Touchdowns: 1

Finally, what round (and why) would you target Smith in a 12-team standard scoring league?

I like his upside with some solid playmakers around him, including Vernon Davis who looks like he’s finally realizing his potential. But given how bad Smith has been in the past I am hesitant about him. I might target him in the 12th or 13th round.

Games Played: 16
Passing Yards: 3,725
Passing Touchdowns: 23
Interceptions: 14

Rushing Yards: 167
Rushing Touchdowns: 3

Finally, what round (and why) would you target Smith in a 12-team standard scoring league?

I’m pretty much right on par with Bruno Boys Cory seeing as he is nothing more than the 15th or 16th best QB with potential for more in his great match-ups. I’d like to see him lead the 49ers to a playoff game (and win), and I think with Warner out of the NFC West, the 49ers finally find their way back to the playoffs. I understand this has nothing to do with fantasy football anymore…But it’s the 49ers!

Games Played:15
Passing Yards:3600
Passing Touchdowns:28
Interceptions:14

Rushing Yards:167
Rushing Touchdowns:0

Finally, what round (and why) would you target Smith in a 12-team standard scoring league?
Tough to call since he would probably not be picked up early i would go for around 9 or 10

Games Played: 16
Passing Yards: 3,200
Passing Touchdowns: 15
Interceptions: 12

Rushing Yards: 80
Rushing Touchdowns: 0

Finally, what round (and why) would you target Smith in a 12-team standard scoring league? Personally I would not draft him other than for a back up to start the season. 11th round earliest. Gore will get more! They have to use Gore to the fullest if they want to win and they know that

Thanks to everyone who has given their projection on how Alex Smith will do in 2010. Like I expected, many people have a different take on what Smith will do in his fifth NFL season.  Based on my projection below you will see that I’m somewhere in the middle of what everyone else is thinking.

Games Played: 16 GP
Passing Yards: 3,520 Yards
Passing Touchdowns: 22 TDs
Interceptions: 15 INTs

Rushing Yards: 100 Yards
Rushing Touchdowns:  1 TD

Finally, what round (and why) would you target Smith in a 12-team standard scoring league?

In my opinion, Smith will enter 2010 as a top 20 quarterback in standard scoring leagues and should be drafted as a back-up in the later rounds of fantasy drafts. As I mentioned in my introduction about Smith, he has the play-makers to post consist statistics on a weekly basis and a fairly easy schedule. When the match-up is right Smith should make for an excellent plug-n-play and if you’re in a league that starts two QBs he should be a serviceable QB2.