Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Rashod Bateman

Sunday, September 21, 10:20 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey continues to be a high-volume workhorse for the Niners early in the 2025 season. In the one-point win over the visiting Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 on Sunday, McCaffrey had 17 rushing attempts for 52 yards and caught 10 of his 15 targets for 88 yards through the air. CMC was unable to find the end zone, but his workhorse role and good health (so far) have been music to his fantasy managers' ears. The Niners have been leaning on the 29-year-old with quarterback Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder), tight end George Kittle (hamstring), and receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, shoulder) injured. He has exceeded 100 scrimmage yards in all three games so far this year and will have a good chance to make it four in a row in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, especially if Purdy can return. CMC still has league-winning dual-threat abilities, but he'll need to stay healthy.

Saturday, September 20, 9:34 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has logged 70 offensive snaps so far this season, the second-highest mark at the position behind Zay Flowers. However, Bateman hasn't done much, amassing only four receptions (eight targets) for 25 yards. Without question, Flowers is the No. 1 wideout on the depth chart. Besides Flowers, Lamar Jackson has relied more on DeAndre Hopkins, who has found the end zone in each of Baltimore's first two contests. With that in mind, Bateman could be a factor at some point moving forward. Still, he's hard to trust. Fantasy managers should only consider him a starting option in Week 3 versus the Detroit Lions if there are no other options available.