Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Malik Washington

Thursday, February 5, 5:06 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was named the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year on Thursday night, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. McCaffrey was limited to only four games in 2024 due to Achilles and knee issues, but he played in all 17 regular-season games in 2025 and led the 49ers in both rushing (1,202) and receiving yards (924). The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro handled a career-high 311 carries and scored 10 rushing touchdowns while also catching 102 passes on 129 targets with an additional seven trips to the end zone as a receiver. The Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 was the RB1 in half-PPR fantasy scoring this year after he slipped to the late first round of many drafts following his injury-plagued 2024 campaign. CMC is entering his age-30 campaign and has a lengthy injury history, but it's simply too hard to ignore his game-changing dual-threat abilities out of the backfield as the engine of San Fran's offense.

Friday, February 20, 7:51 AM

Across 17 games played in 2025, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington hauled in 46 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets. The 25-year-old also showed an ability to make an impact in the running game, recording 17 carries for 110 yards and a score. Washington's role in Miami grew after star Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Miami released Hill earlier this week, so Washington may enter 2026 as the team's WR2 alongside star wideout Jaylen Waddle. However, the Dolphins will have an altered offensive infrastructure in 2026, as former head coach and play-caller Mike McDaniel has been replaced, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly on the trade block. Washington has also been a highly inefficient wide receiver to this point in his career, averaging just 7.5 yards per reception. His dual-threat ability gives him some fantasy intrigue, but Washington's dynasty value is neutral at best after his modest output in 2025.