Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Jase McClellan

Thursday, February 27, 6:29 PM

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine that running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) is "doing great" and that he thinks the star RB will be able to participate in "at least parts" of the offseason program. McCaffrey was a bust at the top of fantasy drafts last fall, as he played in just four games in 2024. He missed the first two months with bilateral Achilles tendinitis and then suffered a season-ending PCL injury on Dec. 1 in the loss to the Buffalo Bills. The 28-year-old's fantasy stock will take a hit in 2025 because of his injury-plagued season, but it's hard to forget that he has rushed for 2,407 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns while catching 134 passes for 1,174 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns in 31 games since he joined San Fran midway through the 2022 season. If healthy, CMC can be a league-winner, but the injury risk is very high.

Sunday, August 25, 1:15 PM

Atlanta Falcons rookie sixth-round running back Jase McClellan (undisclosed) has been banged up the past few weeks in training camp but should make the final 53-man roster as a fourth running back. The former Alabama product carried the ball four times for 12 yards and added an 11-yard catch on his only target in the team's preseason finale on Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 22-year-old picked up 55 rushing yards last week against the Baltimore Ravens and looks lined up as the team's RB4 behind Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and Carlos Washington. McClellan fell to the sixth round in April because of a foot injury that cut his final season short at Alabama last year. His skill set doesn't particularly stand out, but McClellan is a well-rounded rookie that will give Atlanta depth at the position. McClellan is only worth stashing in deep dynasty/keeper leagues.