The 2025 fantasy football season presents a fascinating puzzle for 49ers at the running back position, with Christian McCaffrey serving as the ultimate risk-reward proposition. After his dominant 2023 campaign that made him a fantasy football legend, McCaffrey’s injury-plagued 2024 has left managers questioning whether to trust him with an early pick.
The San Francisco backfield depth chart has become one of the most scrutinized situations in fantasy football, as handcuffs like Isaac Guerendo and Brian Robinson Jr. could potentially deliver league-winning value. Whether you’re betting on McCaffrey’s return to glory or hedging with his talented understudies, this backfield will define many fantasy football seasons.
Christian McCaffrey Fantasy Outlook
Several players could be considered realistic RB1 candidates in 2025, but few have already shown they can do it. McCaffrey put on an all-time great season in 2023, averaging 24.5 fantasy points per game.
The 49ers star went from league-winner to league-loser in 2024, though, as Achilles tendonitis and a PCL sprain limited him to just four games, the fourth of which he left early. What made matters worse for fantasy managers is that the player’s tendonitis wasn’t revealed until right before the season kicked off, after he had been taken first overall in most drafts.
Christian McCaffrey did in fact suffer his potentially season-ending PCL injury on this play — one play before he went down and then took himself out of the game. pic.twitter.com/iFbjkHiEhR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2024
This year, managers must weigh McCaffrey’s elite ability against the risk of further injuries. The late revelation regarding his injuries last year has left a sour taste in the mouths of those who drafted him and will have owners sweating until kickoff in September.
Assuming he plays, though, McCaffrey will likely return to his dominant role in the 49ers’ offense, working extensively in both the run and pass games. With Deebo Samuel now in Washington and Brandon Aiyuk unlikely to feature early on, the team will need their running back to get back to his best.
“CMC” is a frightening pick to make early in drafts, but no player has more upside if he stays healthy.
– Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
Brian Robinson Jr. Fantasy Outlook
Robinson Jr. has gone from the RB1 in Washington to competing for a backup role in San Francisco. No 49ers running back holds fantasy value while McCaffrey is healthy, though, so Robinson will be on plenty of waiver wires early in the year.
Robinson missed three games last season, finishing as the RB29 in PPR. However, his form dipped in the second half of the season as his usage became more sporadic. After scoring six touchdowns in his first six games of the season, he scored just two in the following eight.
San Francisco has been where running backs seem to perform when given an opportunity. Both Jordan Mason and Guerendo impressed when filling in for McCaffrey last year, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Robinson do likewise if given a chance.
To get on the field, though, Robinson will require another injury to McCaffrey and will also need to usurp the Guerendo above, who is arguably more explosive. The second-year back will be looking to build on a strong showing in Year 1, but he heads into the season nursing a shoulder injury of his own.
There is no guarantee that Robinson will be the RB2 in San Francisco, which won’t matter unless McCaffrey goes down. He is best left alone in drafts unless managers are insuring McCaffrey in deeper leagues.
– Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
Isaac Guerendo Fantasy Outlook
Guerendo was my RB3 in the 2024 draft class, ahead of more popular backs like Marshawn Lloyd, Braelon Allen and Blake Corum. Naturally, I was devastated to see him drafted to the 49ers after McCaffrey played 81% of offensive snaps and totaled 2,023 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023. However, injuries to McCaffrey, Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell handed the rookie an unlikely opportunity, which he took.
His powerful, direct running style makes him an incredibly efficient runner who can handle himself at the goal line thanks to his big frame. He saw double-digit carries just four times last year, making it difficult to properly evaluate him statistically. However, one stat that does stand out is that his 2.9 yards after contact per attempt led all running backs with at least 84 carries.
Guerendo is firmly entrenched in handcuff territory, but that’s precisely where he is being drafted. Guerendo is more valuable than other handcuffs because a willingness to reach for him a round or two early allows you to take a swing on McCaffrey’s upside. The second-year back now faces competition from Brian Robinson Jr. for the RB2 job, but is the more explosive of the two backs and should be able to win the role.
Committing to Guerendo in the 11th round is a small price to ensure “CMC” against injury, while he still carries more upside than almost any other handcuff in his own right. McCaffrey’s injury worry and the role Guerendo would inherit make him a tremendous upside shot late in drafts.
– Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
