Cornerbacks are tough beasts to predict. IDP players do want a player athletic enough to start in the NFL and make plays, but we don’t want someone so shutdown good that quarterbacks are afraid to throw at them. Kenneth Acker is not one of the better starting cornerbacks in the NFL, but he’s certainly better than the rest of the 49ers’ options. With Tramaine Brock across from him, neither is too worrisome for opposing passers to test, which is why both San Francisco corners are on pace for around 70 total tackles and 7 interceptions in 2015
Acker is who the numberFire algorithm figures will be tested more in Week 8, however, so we are highlighting him. He gets to tee off against Nick Foles and the St. Louis Rams, who are a mess in the passing game. Over the last three games, Foles has been picked off just four times, but opposing starting cornerbacks over the last three games have averaged 3 tackles and a pass defensed, and Foles is 11th in interception rate. With the Rams beginning to highlight running back Todd Gurley over their passing attack, this is a riskier play, but they may test this lackluster defense in the air. If you’re in need of upside over safety at defensive back, Acker could be your guy.
Acker is available in 97.2% of ESPN IDP leagues. We project him for around 5.0 tackles, a great chance for an interception, a good chance for a pass defensed, and a total score of 6.55 balanced fantasy points in Week 8.