Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Saquon Barkley

Monday, January 6, 6:07 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) said he's "definitely close" to fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his 2024 season early. McCaffrey told ESPN's Nick Wagoner he would have been able to return had the team made the postseason, but instead, he'll continue to rehab and expects to be ready for organized team activities in the spring. The 28-year-old was specifically dealing with a PCL injury in his right knee that caused him to miss the last five games of the year, but a calf strain and bilateral Achilles tendinitis led to CMC not making his 2024 debut until Week 10. The All-Pro RB was the biggest fantasy bust of the year without question, so his health will be closely watched heading into training camp in the summer. While McCaffrey's lengthy injury history will keep him from being a top pick in the first round in 2025, he's still deserving of first-round consideration.

Monday, February 10, 12:24 AM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 57 yards on 25 carries during Sunday's Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs. He also caught six of his seven targets for an additional 40 yards through the air. Barkley had a rare quiet game on the ground, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry despite handling heavy volume. He did boost his per-touch average with some solid receiving work, including an impressive catch down the right sideline. All in all, even though this certainly wasn't Barkley's best game, it may have been one of his most memorable. The Eagles toppled the Chiefs on the national stage, securing a Super Bowl title and ending Kansas City's run at a three-peat. The victory was a rewarding end to a phenomenal season for Barkley, who bet on himself by leaving the Giants to sign with Philadelphia, where he ultimately won Offensive Player of the Year. As long as Barkley stays healthy throughout the offseason, he should be the consensus 1.01 in 2025 fantasy football drafts.