Who Should I Start? Jordan James or Nathan Carter


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Jordan James News

Jordan James the "Front-Runner" to be Top Backup RB

Tuesday, March 31, 10:38 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James, a fifth-round pick last year out of Oregon, appears to be the "front-runner" to be the top backup behind star Christian McCaffrey in 2026, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Brian Robinson Jr., who was CMC's primary backup in 2025, signed a one-year deal to join the Atlanta Falcons, leaving James, Isaac Guerendo, and Patrick Taylor Jr. as San Fran's options behind McCaffrey with the 2026 NFL draft looming next month. Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that James was injured last summer and fell down the RB depth chart as a result, but his strong finish to the season makes him a candidate to back up McCaffrey to begin next season. The 22-year-old didn't have a single carry in three regular-season games in his rookie season, but he saw six rushing attempts for 28 yards in the playoff loss to the Seahawks. Given McCaffrey's lengthy injury history, if James sticks as San Fran's RB2 following the draft, he'll have plenty of fantasy value as a handcuff in single-year fantasy formats.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Nathan Carter News

Nathan Carter the New Handcuff at RB in Atlanta?

Monday, March 16, 7:10 PM

Atlanta Falcons running back Nathan Carter went undrafted last year out of Michigan State and only saw nine carries for 60 yards in seven games played in 2025 in his first year in the NFL. Seven of his nine carries on the year came in the team's Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The 23-year-old was buried on the RB depth chart behind both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Carter should have a much bigger role in 2026, though, after Allgeier left in free agency. The Falcons could still add to the position via the NFL draft in April, but as things currently stand, Carter appears to be the handcuff option for fantasy managers who take Robinson at No. 1 overall in fantasy football drafts this fall. The only other running back on the Falcons' current roster is Carlos Washington Jr., who hasn't played a single snap on offense in his two years in the NFL.


Jordan James vs. Nathan Carter

Still trying to decide between James and Carter? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jordan James is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Nathan Carter is projected to score 0.0 points.