Jerick McKinnon will have to carry the San Francisco 49ers’ offense in Week 9.
When the San Francisco 49ers take on the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football this week, someone will have to play on offense for an undermanned San Francisco team. San Francisco is down just about every offensive skill player of note for this game, yet the show must go on. One player who has to step up for them in a big spot is running back Jerick McKinnon.
The Fantasy Footballers thought rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was going to be that guy on Tuesday, but due to contact tracing, he will not be able to play in this game. With Nick Mullens getting the start at quarterback over an injured Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers are going to have to find a guy who can run the ball, as well as receive out of the backfield. Enter McKinnon.
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What makes McKinnon such a potentially valuable play on Thursday Night Football is his ability to not only run the ball, but catch balls out of the backfield. Because Mullens may not have the vertical threat in this game, look for head coach Kyle Shanahan to keep the play calling a little bit more ground-centric. This could mean ample opportunities for McKinnon to help you in fantasy.
Look for Jerick McKinnon to do a little bit of everything for the 49ers
Though he is not a traditional bell-cow back by any stretch of the imagination, the 49ers will not have Raheem Mostert or Tevin Coleman available for this game. Therefore, it increases the importance of what a player like McKinnon could mean for the 49ers offense. Look for wide receiver Trent Taylor to also be a big factor in this game for San Francisco.
Should you start McKinnon this week? That all comes down to what shape your running back depth chart looks like on your fantasy team. If you are behind the eight ball in that department, then McKinnon is worth the start at either running back spot. However, be sure to not start him in your flex because you want to keep that spot available for Sunday for further flexibility.
Ultimately, McKinnon is in a great position to have a career day in fantasy. His volume will be out the wazoo. He will get carries, or at least until the 49ers are forced into passing situations. If that is the case where the 49ers have to abandon the run to attempt to keep pace with Green Bay, this is where McKinnon’s value really comes in as a receiver out of the backfield for San Francisco.