The the first half of the 49ers’ season last year was a train wreck. Mike Nolan was fired, Mike Singletary took over, and the team finished the season 5-4. Expect a more conservative approach to the offense this season under Singletary, but uncertainty still lingers on the fantasy front.

Quarterbacks: Shaun Hill was solid over the second half of last season and has the inside track to start this year. But Alex Smith, whose endured how many offensive coordinators in the last five years, is finally healthy again and promised a chance to compete for the starter’s role. Hill, provided he remains the starter, has been a popular sleeper QB2, but I’m not convinced. I wouldn’t trust either Hill or Smith as more than a QB3 to start the season, though one might emerge as QB2 as 2009 progresses.

Running backs: After 2006, Frank Gore was supposed to be the next super-elite fantasy running back. After two lackluster years, he’s still viewed by some as the next super-elite fantasy running back. This year, the thinking is Gore will benefit most from Singletary’s plans. Maybe he will, but I’m not confident enough to take him in the top five overall. He’s an RB1 for sure, but a lower-end RB1. Rookie Glen Coffee is the likely backup; he’s probably only worth drafting as insurance if you take Gore.

Wide receivers: Isaac Bruce is still delivering at age 36, but his production will drop with the arrival of rookie Michael Crabtree. Expect Bruce to be nothing more than a WR4, with perhaps a little more value in PPR leagues. Crabtree may make the most impact of any rookie receiver this season, but don’t over-reach for him on draft day; look at him as a WR3 with upside.

Tight ends: Vernon Davis played all 16 games last season, but his numbers dropped from 2007. Some pundits think he might be primed for a breakout season; others think he’ll be a bust again. I don’t think he’ll be a bust, but don’t draft him higher than a mid-to-low-end TE2.

Kicker: Joe Nedney scored 121 points last year and made 87.9 percent of his field goals. He’ll again be a strong K2 or even a low-end K1 on draft day.