Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Brian Robinson Jr.

Saturday, December 27, 4:04 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has finished outside of the top ten at his position just twice in 2025. The heart of San Francisco's offense, McCaffrey leads the team in targets per game, is averaging 125.9 scrimmage yards per game, and has scored a touchdown in all but four of the 49ers' games this season. CMC's role in the passing game regressed in recent weeks until his 6-29-2 line on eight targets in Week 16. His target share may remain elevated in Week 17, as tight end George Kittle (ankle) is a game-time decision and Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is questionable. McCaffrey has a welcome matchup against the Bears in Week 17. Chicago has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game and the second-most rushing yards before contact per attempt this year. As always, McCaffrey is in contention for an RB1 finish and should be locked into lineups for the final weekend of the fantasy football season.

Monday, December 15, 10:20 PM

Across 14 games this season, San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. has recorded 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 81 carries. The 26-year-old has spent the entirety of the 2025 season in a backup role behind star 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. Robinson Jr. has yet to record double-digit carries in a game in 2025 and has just seven receptions on the season, so his standalone fantasy value is limited. However, if McCaffrey were to suffer an injury, Robinson Jr. would immediately become a viable starting fantasy running back. He's proven he can succeed in a lead-back role in the past, racking up 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 187 carries across 14 games with the Washington Commanders in 2024. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Robinson Jr. is worth rostering just in case McCaffrey goes down.