Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Chase Brown

Friday, May 9, 12:06 PM

San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said that running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) "looks awesome" this offseason and also said that "we're going to do everything we can to get him the ball as much as we can." McCaffrey was a big-time fantasy bust as the No. 1 overall pick in most fantasy drafts in 2024, as he didn't make his season debut until Week 10 due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis before spraining his PCL in Week 14 and being shut down for the rest of the year. The 28-year-old All-Pro has no restrictions during the team's offseason program, though, and should be fully healthy for Week 1 in 2025. It doesn't sound like the Niners plan to reduce his workload this year, but fantasy managers are surely skeptical about CMC staying healthy for a full season. McCaffrey is a league-winner if he stays healthy, but he's played fewer than eight games three times in the last five years.

Wednesday, May 28, 12:06 PM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) was photographed participating in Tuesday's OTAs. Brown had injured his ankle during Week 17 against the Denver Broncos last season, and it was enough to sideline him for the team's regular season finale in Week 18. Now, though, nearly five months later, it appears Brown is healthy. That's good news for Bengals fans and fantasy managers alike, as Brown finished his 2024 campaign with 1,350 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. He was the overall RB10 in PPR leagues despite opening the year as the No. 2 running back and missing Week 18. Productive as a ball carrier and pass catcher, Brown should be a full-go for Week 1, allowing him to rank as a mid-to-low RB1 in fantasy football.