Christian McCaffrey (tightness) hasn’t been practicing of late for the San Francisco 49ers, and that sound you hear is fantasy football managers gasping in fear.
The veteran back celebrated his 30th birthday this summer and is the ultimate game of chicken when it comes to drafts every year: draft or pass?
Fantasy Football Outlook: Christian McCaffrey
We know the risk that comes with McCaffrey, and this is a pressure point that will test your willingness to roll the dice with your first pick. Three times in his career, McCaffrey has missed at least nine games, with two of those coming after a season with 330+ touches.
He handled 413 in 2025.
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That’s not to say that the 30-year-old back is a lock to get injured, but these early reports aren’t something you love to see, especially after Kyle Shanahan had preached the long game when asked about the usage of his RB1 this summer.
Every game that McCaffrey plays, he’ll be ranked as a top-5 option in all formats. He’s the best pass catcher the position has ever seen, and he was the RB1 in PPG last season despite averaging under four yards per carry. He’s close to inevitable when on the field, and that’s the case to put him atop the second tier at the position.
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You’re free to pass on him as well. There are plenty of elite options at this point in the draft that carry fewer medical red flags. If you pass on him, you have to live with your opponent potentially getting a steal, and if you go this route, you have to build a roster that is insulated around your RB1 missing time, even if this current issue doesn’t end up resulting in DNPs.
PPR Fantasy Football RB Rankings
1) Bijan Robinson | ATL
2) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET
3) James Cook III | BUF
4) Ashton Jeanty | LV
5) Jonathan Taylor | IND
6) Christian McCaffrey | SF
7) De’Von Achane | MIA
8) Saquon Barkley | PHI
9) Chase Brown | CIN
10) Jeremiyah Love | ARI
11) Derrick Henry | BAL
12) Javonte Williams | DAL
13) Omarion Hampton | LAC
14) Kenneth Walker III | KC
15) D’Andre Swift | CHI
16) Travis Etienne Jr. | NO
17) Breece Hall | NYJ
18) Kyren Williams | LAR
19) Josh Jacobs | GB
20) David Montgomery | HOU
21) Cam Skattebo | NYG
22) TreVeyon Henderson | NE
23) Bucky Irving | TB
24) Chuba Hubbard | CAR
25) Jaylen Warren | PIT
26) Jordan Mason | MIN
27) Jadarian Price | SEA
28) Quinshon Judkins | CLE
29) Jacory Croskey-Merritt | WAS
30) Kenny Gainwell | TB
