Week 17 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Jerick McKinnon still gets some touches, but he’s clearly taken a back seat to Jeff Wilson. There’s no reason to expect that to change in the final game of the season, and fantasy owners should leave him on waivers in all league formats.
Week 13 vs. Buffalo Bills
Jerick McKinnon was reduced to just 25% of the snaps last week against the Rams with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson back in the lineup. He’ll continue to see complementary work, but he should go back to fantasy benches while Mostert is healthy. His five touches, including a pair of receptions, and 32 yards last week are probably going to be the norm for him unless Mostert gets hurt again.
Week 12 at Los Angeles Rams
Jerick McKinnon got a full workload against the Saints before the bye last week, getting 18 carries and one reception on three targets. Unfortunately, he wound up with just 46 combined yards from scrimmage. This week, McKinnon faces a Rams defense that ranks sixth in aFPA to opposing running backs, and Raheem Mostert is supposed to return to action. Assuming Mostert is active as expected, McKinnon goes back to being a handcuff, too risky to start. If Mostert is a surprise inactive, then consider McKinnon a fringe-RB2 option.
Week 10 at New Orleans Saints
Jerick McKinnon returned to a prominent role last week against the Packers amidst a barrage of injuries for the 49ers, rushing 12 times for 52 yards and a touchdown. He also added 16 yards on three receptions.
This week, McKinnon has a tough matchup against the Saints, who rank number one in the league in aFPA to opposing running backs. Watch the inactives report and the practice participation as the week goes on. If Jeff Wilson is still out and Raheem Mostert is still not practicing, McKinnon could be in for another dozen touches, which should put him in line for low-end RB2 numbers, even in a tough matchup. If either Wilson or Mostert winds up active, I wouldn’t trust McKinnon to get enough touches to be worth starting.
Week 9 vs. Green Bay Packers
Jerick McKinnon had four catches for 40 yards last week against the Seahawks, but he had just three carries on the ground – although he scored a rushing touchdown – working behind JaMycal Hasty who received 12 carries. McKinnon is likely to continue to be used as a versatile weapon more than as a workhorse back, making his fantasy value hard to count on. Kyle Shanahan may ride the hot hand, so there’s potential for McKinnon to do well if he gets going. That being said, assuming he’s going to do it in any given week is risky. Against the Packers, he’s a low-end RB2 with high risk/reward variance and upside given the continued absence of Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman.
Week 8 at Seattle Seahawks
Jerick McKinnon got a surprise day of rest last week against the Patriots. The 49ers didn’t need him, as Jeff Wilson had a great game in a lopsided 49ers victory. If McKinnon gets a full workload, he’s capable of RB2 numbers in any given week, but it looks like this backfield is going to be hard to bank on while Raheem Mostert is out. Start him at your own peril if you’re desperate, but it might be wise to completely stay away from the 49ers’ run game if you have more reliable options available. While he could benefit from Wilson missing time with an ankle injury, JaMycal Hasty is still there to play spoiler with his nine carries from last week. A scary situation in the San Francisco backfield for fantasy owners.
Week 7 at New England Patriots
Jerick McKinnon had only 28 yards on eight touches last week - including a pair of receptions - and he shared time with JaMycal Hasty after Raheem Mostert went out with an ankle injury. That’s not a good sign for McKinnon, but there is upside with Mostert likely hitting IR for at least the short term.
Assuming McKinnon gets the start this week against the Patriots, he has a shot at RB2 numbers. There’s risk associated with him because of the work Hasty received, but McKinnon resembled a workhorse when Mostert was out earlier this season, so the upside is there.
Week 6 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Jerick McKinnon was relegated to spot duty last week with the return of Raheem Mostert, and wound up with just five yards on three touches – including a pair of receptions. Jeff Wilson received more touches than McKinnon, and Mostert had 14 total touches, more than all other running backs on the roster combined. Some of this could’ve been due to being in negative game script the entire afternoon, but it certainly seems as though McKinnon’s value is directly tied to Mostert’s health. With Mostert expected to be active again this week, leave McKinnon on the bench.
Week 5 vs. Miami Dolphins
Jerick McKinnon had 14 carries and seven receptions for a total of 97 yards and a touchdown last week against the Eagles. He’s been a quality RB2 option this season and has earned a job, even when Raheem Mostert and/or Tevin Coleman return from injury.
The Dolphins rank 23rd in aFPA to opposing running backs this year, giving McKinnon significant upside in a nice matchup, assuming he gets a similar workload. Mostert may be back this week, so it’s possible his touches go down, but even with Mostert in the lineup, McKinnon should be worth flexing. He had six touches and a touchdown in Week 1, even with a fully healthy San Francisco backfield. If Mostert is out, consider him a fringe RB1 option.
Week 4 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Jerick McKinnon filled in for the injured Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman well last week, with 14 carries and three receptions for a total of 77 yards and a touchdown. He was nicked up however, and his status is in question heading into this weekend. There are a lot of ifs in San Francisco this week, with attrition liking giving value to someone on the roster.
If McKinnon is a go, he’s facing a vulnerable Eagles defense that ranks 23rd so far this year in aFPA to opposing running backs. Philadelphia has really struggled offensively, making it hard for the defense to stay off the field. The 49ers may be able to wear them down, opening up the potential for big plays down the stretch. McKinnon is a RB2 option as long as he’s healthy, with fringe RB2 ability if Mostert is a surprise active.
