Elijah Mitchell The Clear No. 2 RB In San Francisco
According to The Athletic's David Lombardi, San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell is the team's clear No. 2 back behind All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. Mitchell is an all-around back, but his health is the key. If training camp this summer yields a productive backfield logjam, Lombardi points out that the 49ers have previously traded Matt Breida and Jeff Wilson Jr. when they have an excess of depth at the position. As of right now, the 26-year-old Mitchell is the best handcuff option for fantasy managers that take McCaffrey first overall in fantasy drafts this fall. Mitchell has produced 4.7 yards per carry in his three years in the NFL in the Bay Area, but he's also played in just 27 games in a three-year span. If CMC misses time with an injury in 2024, Mitchell will become a hot commodity.
Elijah Mitchell To Back Up McCaffrey In Super Bowl LVIII
With most NFL teams employing a backfield committee or time-share approach, San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell has spent the season as a throwback, one of only a handful of second running backs who are true backups. While Mitchell did score a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game against Detroit -- after McCaffrey pulled himself out following a long run to the goal line -- he only got three other touches for a total of seven yards. In the game before that versus Green Bay, Mitchell posted all zeros while playing only one offensive snap. The probability that Mitchell's usage suddenly changes is near zero when the team squares off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Putting Mitchell into a fantasy lineup for the Super Bowl would be betting on an early McCaffrey injury, an improbable scenario that would eliminate many competitors. Having started Mitchell in that event could be a difference-maker.
Elijah Mitchell To Back Up Christian McCaffrey In NFC Championship
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell will not be a fantasy option when the team hosts the Detroit Lions on Sunday with the NFC Championship on the line. Last week as the No. 2 back on the depth chart in the Divisional Round against Green Bay, Mitchell garnered zero touches and zero targets on one snap. To invest in Mitchell this week in fantasy would be to gamble on an early McCaffrey injury or garbage time in a blowout 49ers win, which are his only realistic routes to production. Even DFS players going cheap at running back will want to look elsewhere.
Elijah Mitchell Unlikely To Contribute Much In Divisional Round
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell will back up starter Christian McCaffrey in Saturday night's Divisional Round tilt versus the Green Bay Packers. Mitchell finished the regular season with a career-low 3.7 yards per attempt and two touchdowns, almost exclusively as McCaffrey's injury and garbage-time replacement. Conceivably, DFS players willing to gamble on those scenarios occurring on Saturday could find a healthy return on minimal investment but otherwise, Mitchell should not be considered for fantasy lineups.
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell led the team in carries and rushing yards in Sunday's 21-20 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. With All-Pro Christian McCaffrey inactive, Mitchell outcarried fellow backup Jordan Mason 14 to 6 and outgained him in rushing yards, 52 to 36. He also added two receptions on two targets for 15 yards. Mitchell finishes the year with 75 carries for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Barring any unexpected roster moves, Mitchell is likely to reprise his role as McCaffrey's backup in 2024 and remain a popular fantasy stash and handcuff for McCaffrey managers.
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell could make his first start of the season with Christian McCaffrey ruled out in the team's Week 18 home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The 25-year-old backup has been dealing with an illness this week but was cleared from the injury report on Friday, making him the favorite to lead San Francisco's backfield on Sunday. However, Mitchell's actual usage is anyone's guess, as Jordan Mason is almost certain to get a share of the touches and has been effective in limited action at 5.0 yards per carry to Mitchell's 3.8. Second-year man Tyrion Davis-Price could also be in the mix, although he'd have to be elevated from the practice squad. That said, Mitchell carries undeniable value in Week 18 championships and DFS for those willing to roll the dice. Consider him an RB2 this week with loads of upside but a low floor depending on the 49ers' personnel decisions.
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (illness) was under the weather and didn't practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday, but he returned to a limited session on Thursday. Mitchell should be available for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, and a bigger backfield role should be in store with Christian McCaffrey (calf) already ruled out. With quarterback Brock Purdy also being rested, expect the Niners to lean on a more ground-based approach with Sam Darnold running the offense. It's all good news for Mitchell's fantasy appeal in DFS this weekend, although Jordan Mason reportedly could be utilized as the primary back. Tyrion Davis-Price could see some run as well, so Mitchell will still be a pretty risky option at the RB position for a Niners team that has already locked up the top seed in the NFC.
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (illness) wasn't feeling well on Wednesday and did not take part in practice with the rest of the team. Mitchell's status for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday is of much greater importance to DFS gamers with Christian McCaffrey (calf) already being ruled out. The Niners have locked up the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs, so they are going to be resting some starters this weekend. If Mitchell is at all questionable for Sunday's contest, they could just hold him out entirely and give him three weeks to rest up before the Divisional Round. Mitchell might not even have much upside if he plays, with reports suggesting Jordan Mason could be the lead back in Week 18.
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell became the team's featured back after starter Christian McCaffrey (calf) was sidelined halfway through the third quarter in Sunday's 27-10 road win over the Washington Commanders. The third-year pro, who was coming off of an injury of his own which sidelined him for three games, found plenty of room to run. Mitchell finished with 17 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. Any fantasy managers still playing in Week 18 may find Mitchell to be an intriguing option at home against the Los Angeles Rams since San Francisco is unlikely to deploy McCaffrey given the injury and having clinched the No.1 playoff seed.
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) practiced in full all week long and has been removed from the final injury report. He will be active for Sunday's contest against the Washington Commanders, putting an end to his three-game absence. The 25-year-old is averaging less than five carries per game this season, so while he could see increased opportunities with a favorable matchup on tap, he remains off the fantasy radar in most leagues.
