Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Troy Franklin

Sunday, October 19, 11:44 PM

The San Francisco 49ers have been as banged up as any team in the NFL this year, but they can beat any team in the league as long as star running back Christian McCaffrey is healthy. McCaffrey once again dominated offensive touches for San Fran in Sunday night's victory over the visiting Atlanta Falcons in Week 7, touching the football 31 times for 201 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. The 29-year-old do-it-all back had a season-high 24 carries for 129 rushing yards (his first 100-yard game of 2025) and added two rushing scores, as an improved Falcons defense had no answers for him. CMC added seven catches on eight targets for 72 receiving yards. McCaffrey has been the Niners' leading receiver this year and has three receiving touchdowns and three rushing TDs as a balanced offensive threat like few others in the league. Despite another tough test in Week 8 against the Houston Texans' defense, CMC continues to be a must-start, elite RB1 in fantasy football.

Monday, October 6, 6:39 PM

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin falls to the third option for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix while facing the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. He caught three of five targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 21-17 win over the Eagles. Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram were first and second on the team with 10 and six targets. While Franklin has seemed to be on the field the second most out of any of the receiving group, the 22-year-old has been underwhelming for fantasy lineups since his explosive outing in Week 2. With Broncos head coach Sean Payton preferring taller wide receivers, this could be one of the primary reasons Franklin has been on the field more than anyone else. Still, he will need to capitalize on his opportunities more frequently before he can be trusted in fantasy lineups. Franklin is a boom or bust FLEX option in a plus matchup against the New York Jets in Week 6.