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Niners Nation fantasy football takes on Christian McCaffrey
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Niners Nation about Christian McCaffrey.
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All Niners Nation insights about Christian McCaffrey
NegativeDepth ChartOct 27, 2026
McCaffrey is referenced as a benchmark for expected workload; the source notes that if a backup running back were fumbling in practice, he would not receive more carries in Week 1 than McCaffrey, establishing McCaffrey as the presumed lead back and primary ball carrier.NegativeInjuryOct 27, 2026
Added to 49ers injury list with a calf injury heading into bye week; Ralph Vacciano cited McCaffrey's injury as a key reason for dropping San Francisco from No. 1 to No. 5 in power rankings, noting the team is 'incredibly banged up' despite remaining the best team in football when mostly healthy.NegativeInjuryOct 27, 2026
49ers star running back suffered a mild hamstring strain in Week 7 loss to Atlanta. Postgame, McCaffrey told reporters his leg "just died" on him and he struggled to get it going for the rest of the game, though he expressed confidence in recovery: "I know I'll be all right." Status heading into bye week remains uncertain.PositiveInjuryOct 26, 2026
McCaffrey suffered a mild hamstring strain (initially diagnosed as thigh injury) in Week 7. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers are 'pretty optimistic' that McCaffrey will be fine coming out of the bye week, though Shanahan wouldn't guarantee his return.NegativeUsageOct 26, 2026
Shanahan leaned on McCaffrey early in the game plan against Atlanta; the run game was rolling before a fumble, and the offensive sequencing reflected heavy early-game reliance on the running back.NegativeInjuryOct 26, 2026
McCaffrey only had seven carries after leaving with a thigh injury and returned probably by necessity. The source notes fumbles hurt his grade despite a 71.4% success rate on his carries. He caught six of his seven receptions for 61 yards.PositiveUsageOct 26, 2026
McCaffrey earned 1st Star honors despite missing most of the first half with a thigh injury, finishing with 13 touches for 100 yards and a touchdown—his second consecutive 100-yard game. The source notes that with McCaffrey on the field, the 49ers averaged nearly 8 plays for 47 yards per drive (6 drives, 47 plays, 281 yards, 2 TDs), while without him they averaged 6 plays for 41 yards (3 drives, 18 plays, 122 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble lost). McCaffrey's early-game production included 69 yards on 6 touches in the opening drive and a 1-yard TD run, establishing the 49ers' early lead before the injury sidelined him.NegativeInjuryOct 26, 2026
Running back Christian McCaffrey ripped off chunks on a 10-play opening touchdown drive before a thigh injury sent him to the sideline; the source notes he will get a bye week to recover.NegativeRoleOct 26, 2026
McCaffrey was part of the timing breakdown in the 49ers offense against Atlanta; Purdy could not seem to get on the page with him, with route issues where everyone broke in too early, out too late, or kept going when Purdy expected them to sit—a critical problem in an offense predicated on timing and expectations.PositiveUsageOct 26, 2026
McCaffrey finished with only seven carries due to injury and limited offensive possessions (49ers had the ball only once in the third quarter), but posted an incredible 71.4% success rate with 25 yards after contact. He was the 49ers' offensive weapon on their first drive and finished with 6 receptions on 7 targets for 61 yards, including a contested catch and a sideline grab.NegativeInjuryOct 25, 2026
McCaffrey missed a drive in the second quarter due to a thigh injury; he was running up and down the sideline trying to get loose according to the broadcast.NegativeMatchupOct 25, 2026
Historical baseline from prior season matchup: McCaffrey ran for 129 yards and added seven receptions for 72 yards against the Falcons defense with Mac Jones as the starter, establishing the offensive capability and receiving opportunity potential in this matchup.PositiveRoleOct 25, 2026
Kyle Shanahan moved McCaffrey around the formation more than ever in Week 6; expected to play more of a Cooper Kupp-style role with increased underneath routes to help the offense stay ahead of the chains, indicating expanded offensive usage due to WR injuries.PositiveMatchupOct 25, 2026
49ers RB expected to benefit from Falcons' reliance on rookie linebackers in coverage due to Divine Deablo's absence; matchup advantage against inexperienced linebacker group.PositiveRoleOct 23, 2026
McCaffrey's receiving responsibilities are expected to increase in Week 7 if Mike Evans remains unavailable due to Achilles soreness; he was a key target in the first half against Washington (three touchdowns on five drives), and his role will expand further as the 49ers lean on their passing game against Atlanta's elite run defense.PositiveProjectionOct 22, 2026
Christian McCaffrey is a key contributor to the 49ers' red zone efficiency and should see heavy usage both through the air and on the ground against Atlanta. Atlanta's red zone defense ranks 26th in the NFL with a 49.38% success rate allowed and an EPA/rush of 0.15, creating a favorable matchup for McCaffrey to capitalize on scoring opportunities.NegativeUsageOct 22, 2026
McCaffrey receives 21.1% of targets, the third-highest on the team. The source uses McCaffrey's target share as evidence that the 49ers' receiving options are already well-distributed and that adding a receiver like Josh Downs would not significantly increase his volume. McCaffrey was also open to the left on the third-and-three red zone play where Brandin Cooks was the intended target.PositiveUsageOct 21, 2026
Christian McCaffrey received 25 total touches (16 rushes, 9 targets) for 117 yards from scrimmage and 2 touchdowns against Washington's No. 8 EPA-allowed-per-rush defense. While his 4.0 yards per carry may not stand out on the box score, the 49ers' rushing efficiency was elite: 66.7% success rate, the best by over 16 percentage points league-wide in Week 6. This strong ground-game performance comes at an opportune time with injuries depleting the 49ers' passing game.NegativeUsageOct 21, 2026
McCaffrey's usage spiked to season-high 25 touches on Monday night (47% of second-half plays) as injuries to Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans forced Kyle Shanahan to lean heavier on the star back. Through the first five games, McCaffrey had more games with fewer than 20 touches than he did all of 2025 (when he averaged just under 25 touches per game across 13 of 17 games); the trend reversed sharply as offensive weapons diminished, raising durability concerns as Shanahan may be forced to approach 2025 usage levels.PositiveUsageOct 20, 2026
McCaffrey received a heavy 2025-usage game with 25 total touches (16 carries, 9 receptions) across 61 plays, exceeding his season high of 19 touches from Week 3. He delivered high production to justify the workload: 100+ scrimmage yards (64 rushing, 53 receiving), 2 rushing touchdowns, and led all pass-catchers. His two scores accounted for more than 50% of the 49ers' scoring. The source notes this usage pattern is something to monitor, especially with Mike Evans' injury potentially adding to McCaffrey's workload going forward.NegativeUsageOct 20, 2026
When Mike Evans departed in the first half, the 49ers leaned heavily on Christian McCaffrey. However, the Commanders recognized the 49ers were out of separators and blitzed constantly in the second half, knowing they wouldn't be beat downfield, limiting McCaffrey's effectiveness as a receiver.NegativeUsageOct 20, 2026
McCaffrey had a fumble on one of the 49ers' six scoring opportunities through three quarters, resulting in a turnover rather than a scoring drive.PositiveUsageOct 20, 2026
McCaffrey punched in a touchdown from the one-yard line in the second drive and finished off another scoring drive later in the half, demonstrating his role as the primary red-zone back; he also fumbled once but the 49ers recovered, and the source notes the offense struggled without Evans in the second half.PositiveUsageOct 19, 2026
Christian McCaffrey expected to see increased target volume in Week 6 due to Deebo Samuel's absence; the source projects a similar game script to Week 1 where McCaffrey was targeted eight times. The Commanders' defense ranks in the bottom four in the NFL in allowing receptions and targets to running backs, creating a favorable matchup.PositiveUsageOct 19, 2026
McCaffrey's limited involvement in Week 5 was an overcorrection; he should see heavy usage against Washington's weak run defense. The Commanders rank 27th in rushing success rate and have allowed six yards per carry against inside zone with +0.115 EPA per rush on man concepts. With an extra day of rest and Kyle Juszczyk's expected return, McCaffrey should be fresh and featured in both outside zone (49ers' 40% base) and inside zone (20% incorporation) schemes to keep San Francisco in manageable passing situations.PositiveUsageOct 19, 2026
The source highlights the 49ers' strategic deployment of CMC in the pass game as a key matchup advantage against Washington; this usage pattern is presented as one of the primary offensive weapons the 49ers plan to exploit in the game.NegativeRoleOct 17, 2026
Christian McCaffrey is featured in the 49ers' game photo from October 11, 2026, running with the football during a game against the Seattle Seahawks, indicating his active role in the offense.PositiveRoleOct 17, 2026
McCaffrey played quarterback in the NFC Championship Game after Brock Purdy tore his elbow and backup Josh Johnson left with a concussion. Despite the emergency role, the source notes the 49ers remain a much different team without him; limiting his touches by finding a good understudy in Kaelon Black helps keep him fresh, and he remains a threat anytime he touches the ball.PositiveRoleOct 17, 2026
McCaffrey's versatility and impact were so significant that the 49ers used him at quarterback in the NFC Championship Game when Brock Purdy tore his elbow and backup Josh Johnson left with a concussion. The source notes McCaffrey was 'taking snaps' and 'you could see him on the bench after every series, where they were trying to tell him how to run the position and how to read a wristband.' Despite Father Time being unbeaten, the source emphasizes 'the 49ers are a much different team without him' and that 'he's still a threat anytime he touches the ball,' even with workload management through understudy Kaelon Black.PositiveValueOct 17, 2026
The 2022 acquisition from Carolina for second, third, and fourth-round picks transformed the 49ers offense despite initial skepticism. McCaffrey debuted against Kansas City with limited impact due to inexperience in the system, but in his second game against the Los Angeles Rams became the first 49ers running back to record a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in the same game. The source notes 'the 49ers became a different team in almost overnight' and that McCaffrey 'quickly made himself the focal point of the 49ers offense.' Though many thought the 49ers were fleeced given their lack of a first-round pick post-Trey Lance, the source argues 'it was clear the 49ers got him in exchange for a Betamax player,' indicating the trade was a steal.NegativeUsageOct 16, 2026
49ers are intentionally reducing McCaffrey's workload this season as part of a strategic shift to reinvigorate the rushing attack, not to extend his career. McCaffrey himself embraces the approach: 'I want to win — whatever it takes to win games,' noting that with a roster where the ball can be spread around, he shouldn't necessarily get as many touches. He frames his role as making his touches count rather than counting them.PositiveRoleOct 15, 2026
Major trade deadline acquisition in 2022 that directly correlated with Super Bowl run; 49ers traded for McCaffrey at deadline while 3-3, won last 10 games that season, and beat Seattle and Dallas in playoffs before NFC Championship loss to Philadelphia; remains part of elite offensive talent core in 2026.PositiveRoleOct 14, 2026
Christian McCaffrey scored a rushing touchdown in the 49ers' 32-29 Week 5 win over Seattle, contributing to San Francisco's offensive production despite the team playing banged up. McCaffrey remains a key offensive weapon in the 49ers' 5-0 start and Super Bowl contention.PositiveMatchupOct 14, 2026
Sonny Styles is one of the few linebackers capable of keeping up with Christian McCaffrey, positioning him as a notable defensive challenge for the 49ers running back in Week 6 against Washington.PositiveUsageOct 13, 2026
McCaffrey was used sparingly on early downs (32% of touches) and had zero carries on third or fourth down, appearing to be a decoy for four quarters; however, he earned a B+ grade by forcing two missed tackles, maintaining an 81% success rate, and averaging 3.27 yards before contact on 11 carries for 68 yards with 32 after-contact yards (17 through the A-gap), catching all three targets for 15 yards; the source expects McCaffrey to receive 20 touches in the next matchup.PositiveUsageOct 13, 2026
McCaffrey rushed for 68 yards on 11 carries against Seattle's elite defensive line, averaging 6+ yards per rush. He generated 3.55 yards after contact per carry and 2.63 yards before contact—both strong metrics—and recorded multiple 10+ yard runs, demonstrating the 49ers' offensive line success in the run game.PositiveUsageOct 12, 2026
McCaffrey finished with 6.2 yards per attempt and two runs over 10+ yards, leading the 49ers' dominant ground game that produced an 80% success rate on outside zone runs against Seattle's defense—the highest success rate against a Mike Macdonald defense. The 49ers averaged 3.1 yards before contact on outside zone runs compared to Seattle's previous opponents' 0.7 yards.NegativeUsageOct 12, 2026
McCaffrey averaged 3.27 yards before contact in the game. The source suggests that Kyle Shanahan didn't anticipate as much success running the ball, which is why the 49ers didn't lean heavily on the run game, but notes that if Shanahan had known his offensive line would generate the movement they did in the second half, 'he would've run the ball 50 times.'PositiveRoleOct 12, 2026
McCaffrey, a player who rarely publicly gushes about teammates, made an emphatic statement about Evans' impact on the 49ers' standard and culture. After Evans' post-game podium appearance, McCaffrey walked up, glanced at Evans, shook his head dramatically, and said simply: 'That guy is unbelievable.' This underscores Evans' immediate and profound effect on the team's elite-level expectations.NegativeUsageOct 11, 2026
McCaffrey scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the first half and later contributed key carries in the fourth-quarter game-winning drive, picking up 8 and 13 yards to begin the drive and making a defender miss in the backfield to avoid a negative play.PositiveMatchupOct 11, 2026
McCaffrey has found plenty of success against the Seahawks in previous matchups, positioning him favorably in this divisional contest.PositiveRoleOct 9, 2026
Christian McCaffrey on the ground remains the biggest scoring threat on the 49ers' offense, especially inside the red zone. All 27 of his rushing touchdowns have come inside the red zone, and all four of his rushing touchdowns in 2026 were one-yard scores. Seattle's defense has allowed only one rushing touchdown this season (second-fewest in the league) and has allowed five red zone touchdowns on nine entries (66.7 touchdown rate, tied for tenth-highest). McCaffrey could be the answer to Seattle's red zone vulnerability on the ground, as it's unlikely Seattle's defense will face a red zone weapon like McCaffrey outside the two games against the 49ers.PositiveMatchupOct 9, 2026
The source expresses confidence that McCaffrey, alongside Kittle and a half-healthy Evans, has sufficient offensive firepower to exploit the Seahawks defense, particularly when getting the ball in space. Additionally, the 49ers offensive line will have an opportunity to prove its improvement in the run game, where the team struggled in last year's playoff loss to Seattle.PositiveInjuryOct 8, 2026
Returned to full practice participation on Thursday after having a typical rest day on Wednesday; no injury concerns flagged.PositiveRoleOct 7, 2026
McCaffrey had a 25-yard reception in the first matchup against Seattle last season and will be available for the playoff rematch alongside George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, two players who weren't available in the playoffs, giving the 49ers significantly more offensive weapons.NegativeUsageOct 7, 2026
McCaffrey has averaged 4.4 yards per carry through four weeks, contributing to the 49ers' improved run game (4.8 yards per carry average, seventh in the league) despite ranking 24th in yards after contact. The source notes that the 49ers' run game success is being driven by wrinkles with Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy's ability to extend plays with his legs, with the offensive line ranking fifth in yards before contact per rush (1.93 yards) and the team avoiding negative plays in the run game.PositiveProjectionOct 6, 2026
Running back is averaging 1.72 yards before contact, the fifth-best mark in the league, demonstrating exceptional offensive line quality and efficiency that supports his elite fantasy production and workload value.NegativeRoleOct 6, 2026
McCaffrey featured in the 49ers' trademark QB sneak package on fourth-and-1 situations; Shanahan noted the play typically gains 3–4 yards on shorter fourth-and-1s. Last week against Arizona, McCaffrey powered through for nine yards on a similar play, described as his 'best Thomas the Tank Engine impersonation, taking the whole offense and powering through.' Against Denver, the sneak failed on a longer fourth-and-1, with Shanahan crediting Denver's defense for stopping it.PositiveUsageOct 5, 2026
McCaffrey made a tackle miss on his first carry and gained 10 yards on 3rd-and-1 in the second quarter where 90% of running backs gain one yard. Despite being stuffed four times in short-yardage/goal-line situations and posting a 26% success rate, Next Gen Stats credited him with +7 rushing yards over expected. The source's eyeballs tell him McCaffrey ran well, suggesting the efficiency metrics understate his performance.NegativeUsageOct 5, 2026
McCaffrey scored a touchdown on a drive set up by Deebo Samuel's 8-yard reception that established third-and-short positioning. This scoring drive exemplifies the 49ers' offensive strategy of using Samuel's versatility in both receiving and rushing roles to set up scoring opportunities for their lead back.PositiveUsageOct 5, 2026
McCaffrey scored a touchdown on a drive set up by Mike Evans' 17-yard reception that moved the ball to the goal line, putting the 49ers up 17-6 in the fourth quarter. The touchdown came as part of the 49ers' offensive surge following Siran Neal's forced fumble recovery.PositiveUsageOct 5, 2026
Scored a goal-line touchdown in Week 4 win over Denver; continues to be a key contributor in 49ers' 4-0 start, with veteran skill-position players powering the offense when it matters most.PositiveRoleOct 5, 2026
On the final drive, Purdy scanned the field and came back to McCaffrey as his third read, indicating McCaffrey remains a reliable target in critical moments. The source notes Shanahan doesn't drop back to throw on four of the final five plays to end the game if he isn't confident his line will hold up, suggesting McCaffrey's presence provides security.PositiveUsageOct 4, 2026
McCaffrey gained 10 yards on a second-and-short, picked up 14 yards to put the 49ers in field goal range, and dove into the end zone for a touchdown to give the Niners a 17-6 lead; he also gained nine yards on a late-game drive, showing consistent offensive involvement and scoring opportunities.PositiveMatchupOct 4, 2026
Sets up well for a strong performance against the Broncos, who rank 32nd in overall rushing efficiency, dead last against stacked boxes, inside-tackle rushes, and designed runs. The 49ers' game plan should lean on short-down-and-distance situations that favor McCaffrey's workload.PositiveMatchupOct 4, 2026
McCaffrey averaged five yards per carry against the Cardinals and is positioned for a big game against Denver's weak run defense, which ranks dead last at No. 32 in EPA allowed per rush. Kyle Shanahan will exploit the Broncos' struggling linebackers (Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad) with high volume for McCaffrey in both rushing and receiving, as the 49ers have the advantage in the trenches on offense.PositiveUsageOct 3, 2026
Expected to have increased offensive role in 49ers-Broncos matchup, particularly with Mike Evans potentially unavailable; source explicitly states 49ers need big games from non-WR skill players including McCaffrey against Denver's elite DB/vulnerable LB combination, positioning him as a focal point of the offense.NegativeMatchupOct 2, 2026
McCaffrey is vulnerable to Hufanga's aggressive safety play, particularly on routes out of the backfield where Hufanga's instinctual reads and film study could allow him to jump passing lanes; the 49ers may need to adjust route concepts or use misdirection to protect McCaffrey in the passing game.PositiveUsageOct 2, 2026
Christian McCaffrey saw a healthy workload against Arizona, taking 15 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers ran for 140 yards total while averaging over six yards per carry, establishing the run game effectively. McCaffrey is also expected to see significant passing game opportunity against Denver, as the source identifies him as a key target in the 49ers' plan to attack Denver's weak linebackers in the middle of the field.PositiveUsageOct 2, 2026
McCaffrey is averaging 4.7 yards per carry on 35 attempts through three weeks, demonstrating strong run game efficiency. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak highlighted McCaffrey's 12-yard run in the fourth quarter of the previous game as an example of the efficient, grinding runs that keep the 49ers on the field and allow them to sustain drives. The 49ers are averaging 5.1 yards per carry as a team, with McCaffrey's efficiency being a key component of the offense's success.PositiveProjectionOct 1, 2026
McCaffrey can tie Jim Brown's fifth-most games with 100+ scrimmage yards and a score (55 games) if he records any touchdown and at least 100 scrimmage yards against Denver on Sunday. Only Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (74), Marshall Faulk (66), LaDainian Tomlinson (61), and Barry Sanders (57) have more such games, positioning McCaffrey among the elite all-time performers in dual-threat production.PositiveProjectionOct 1, 2026
McCaffrey is on pace to break Marshall Faulk's Super Bowl era record of 36 receiving touchdowns by a running back; one receiving TD against Denver on Sunday would give him 37 and the outright record. The source notes his exceptional dual-threat production for the 49ers has established him as a clear all-time great, comparable to Faulk and Roger Craig, though previous injuries may prevent him from matching Faulk's career counting stats of 19,154 scrimmage yards (McCaffrey has 13,249 after three games of his 10th season).NegativeInjurySep 30, 2026
RB Christian McCaffrey won't practice Wednesday due to vet day (veteran rest day).PositiveUsageSep 29, 2026
Running back Christian McCaffrey averaged 2.6 yards before contact on his attempts in the Cardinals game, demonstrating elite efficiency behind a dominant 49ers offensive line that allowed only 12 pressures in true pass sets for the season.PositiveUsageSep 28, 2026
McCaffrey received the lion's share of carries in the divisional game, playing 41 snaps compared to Kaelon Black's 8. He forced four missed tackles, averaged 2.6 yards after contact, and 5 yards per carry. As a receiver, he picked up three first downs and gained 24 yards after the catch on 41 receptions. He chewed up crucial yardage and time late in the game to keep the defense off the field. The source notes he remains one of the most dangerous receivers out of the backfield despite declining speed.PositiveRoleSep 28, 2026
49ers RB expected to see increased usage in Week 4 game plan; the source indicates Kyle Shanahan will be less reluctant to include McCaffrey in the game plan following his strong rushing performance in Week 3, suggesting elevated role and opportunity.PositiveUsageSep 28, 2026
McCaffrey was second on the team with four impact plays, rushed for a season-high 75 yards (39 after contact), caught four passes on five targets for 41 yards, and totaled over 100 scrimmage yards. He had two explosive runs against the Cardinals. His combined production as both rusher and receiver makes him a key contributor to the 49ers' offensive success.PositiveUsageSep 28, 2026
Christian McCaffrey added another two scores while totaling over 100 yards in Week 3 win, continuing strong early-season production in dominant 49ers offense.PositiveUsageSep 27, 2026
Christian McCaffrey converted a third down early in the game, bounced off a tackle on a reception to give the Niners first-and-goal, leaped over the pile for a touchdown to push the 49ers' lead to 23-6, and later picked up 10 yards on a run play, demonstrating consistent offensive involvement and red zone scoring opportunity.NegativeUsageSep 25, 2026
McCaffrey had just 23 yards on 10 carries in Week 2, marking a down week in the run game; the source expects Week 3 against Arizona to be a bounce-back opportunity given the 49ers' offensive line advantage and Arizona's below-average run defense.NegativeInjurySep 24, 2026
Returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session due to Veterans Day absence; no injury designation reported.NegativeUsageSep 23, 2026
McCaffrey has 91 rushing yards through two weeks. He is one of only three NFL players in history to score 50 touchdowns with two different franchises, joining Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Randy Moss.PositiveUsageSep 23, 2026
Expected to see increased usage and touches as the 49ers compensate for injuries at wide receiver; the source indicates McCaffrey will likely receive more offensive opportunities alongside George Kittle and Mike Evans.NegativeUsageSep 22, 2026
McCaffrey ran well but didn't have near the volume as he did in Week 1; the passing game was so extraordinary that the running game didn't need to do much, though he continues to produce yards after contact.NegativeUsageSep 21, 2026
McCaffrey led the team with 10 carries but averaged under four yards per carry in a game where the 49ers' passing attack was so dominant they generated first downs almost every dropback, allowing the coaching staff to rest him and deploy Jordan James in the fourth quarter.NegativeUsageSep 21, 2026
Despite the 49ers' dominant 35-13 Week 2 win over Miami, Christian McCaffrey managed just 23 rushing yards on the ground. The source emphasizes this limited rushing output occurred despite the team's offensive dominance, suggesting game script and the 49ers' ability to move the ball through the air limited his volume.PositiveUsageSep 20, 2026
McCaffrey featured heavily on the 49ers' first drive, picking up 16 yards on third down and scoring a 1-yard touchdown. He found the end zone again later in the game after a short field created by a punter error, demonstrating consistent red-zone usage and goal-line work.PositiveUsageSep 20, 2026
49ers RB found great success in Week 1 against the Rams, rushing for part of a combined 133 yards on over 5.5 yards per carry alongside Kaelon Black; Devon Achane projects the 49ers will see more than 24 combined carries from their running backs in Week 2, with the ground game remaining a focus despite Kyle Shanahan's more pass-friendly recent scheme.PositiveProjectionSep 19, 2026
McCaffrey is positioned for a vintage rushing performance in Week 2 against Miami's weak defense. He rushed for over 60 yards with great efficiency in Week 1 against the Rams (174 total team rushing yards on 30 carries), and the source projects the 49ers could exceed 200 rushing yards against the Dolphins' bottom-tier defense, with McCaffrey expected to lead the load alongside Kaelon Black in a Shanahan-style ground-heavy attack.PositiveMatchupSep 19, 2026
McCaffrey on a choice route with a two-way go is an advantage for CMC against anybody, especially a rookie defender; the source expects the 49ers to exploit this route concept against Miami's defensive backs.