Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Rashod Bateman

Thursday, August 21, 10:59 PM

San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams said that running back Christian McCaffrey "looks fantastic" and "looks like offensive-player-of-the-year-Christian," per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. McCaffrey has mostly received glowing reports for his training camp performance so far from teammates and outside observers alike. The 29-year-old is coming off a lost season in 2024 due to Achilles tendinitis and a PCL injury to his right knee. However, he led the NFL with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns in 2023. McCaffrey has played seven games or fewer in three of the last five seasons, but he has number one overall player in fantasy upside if he stays healthy.

Monday, July 28, 4:25 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) was sent home on Monday due to an illness, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. There's no reason to think this will be a long-term absence for Bateman, but he could conceivably miss the next few days of practice as well. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in 2024 when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Baltimore added some talent to the wide receiver room with the offseason addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but Bateman still profiles as an important piece of the team's offense. The Ravens' low-volume passing offense limits Bateman's fantasy upside, but he has some boom/bust appeal as a flex option in deep leagues due to his ability to make plays down the field.