On August 1, our fantasy football draft guide will be released both as a physical book (available on Amazon) and as a free PDF to Fantasy Consigliere members. After a preview yesterday at quarterback, below is a glimpse at one of our outlooks at running back.

5. Christian McCaffrey, SF

2024 statistics: 50 ATT, 202 YDS | 15 REC, 146 YDS

2025 projections: 254 ATT, 1,245 YDS, 12 TD | 60 REC, 512 YDS, 4 TD

 

McCaffrey is now entering his age-29 campaign and is coming off a lost season, so there are many who won’t consider him in the first round of fantasy drafts this year. However, this isn’t the first time McCaffrey has been written off due to injuries, and the last time was followed up with 1,880 total yards and 13 total touchdowns despite splitting time with the Panthers and 49ers in 2022. When healthy, we still expect McCaffrey to be a high-end RB1 option, and his determination—as showcased by a desire to never take a breather—should lead to him doing everything possible to get his body right for 2025. Perhaps we shouldn’t put too much stock into the words of a teammate, but fullback Kyle Juszczyk raved about McCaffrey looking “so healthy” and “so explosive” ahead of training camp while expressing a hunger from the entire team to have a bounce-back season. After totaling 2,023 total yards and 21 total touchdowns in his lone full season under Kyle Shanahan, McCaffrey can return to fantasy dominance if he can just stay on the field.