San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. produced well filling in for rookie Isaac Guerendo (knee), who was carted off the field in the first quarter. The former Memphis Tiger took 17 carries for a career-high 109 yards and caught one of four targets for 12 yards through the air. Taylor Jr. looked much better on Sunday than in any other of his limited opportunities in 2024 with physical, one-cut running. The fact that he got any game time at all this year was an improbability in the preseason, as he had four running backs ahead of him on the depth chart before they all went down with injuries at various times. Taylor Jr. finishes the year with 39 carries for 183 yards and one touchdown. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. is expected to take a backseat to Isaac Guerendo (hamstring, foot) on Monday. Guerendo has been cleared to play after sitting out last week's loss to the Miami Dolphins. Taylor didn't do much with his start last week as he only managed 24 yards on the ground. He hauled in only one of his five targets as it was a bust of a day for Taylor. He might be worth holding given the amount of injuries in the 49ers backfield, but his fantasy outlook is bleak with Guerendo back in the mix in Week 17.
Patrick Taylor Jr. Falls Flat In First Career Start
San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. had an uneventful first career start during a 29-17 loss to the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. The former Green Bay Packer took eight carries for 24 yards and caught one of five targets for one-yard receiving. Sometimes in fantasy, it's easy to fall in love with expected volume and opportunity and look past talent. Even though Taylor Jr. entered the game first on the depth chart, he looked the part of the fringe player that he has been throughout his career. Taylor Jr. was outgained on the ground by both wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. and quarterback Brock Purdy. No other tailbacks were involved with the 49ers opting to throw the ball 40 times rather than lean on their stable of replacement-level backs. Next week, the 49ers will host the Detroit Lions with Taylor Jr.'s fantasy viability in Week 17 dependent on the availability of rookie Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring).
San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. is expected to draw his first career start filling in for the ruled-out rookie Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) in Miami on Sunday. With Guerendo healthy enough to play, the undrafted 26-year-old Taylor Jr. received neither touch nor target in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The last time Taylor was involved was in Week 14 versus Chicago when he took seven carries for 25 yards, one touchdown, and one unfulfilled target. On the surface, Taylor Jr. may seem like a must-start since head coach Kyle Shanahan always rides his lead back heavily, but it's appropriate to temper expectations. If one includes Elijah Mitchell -- who was ruled out for the year in the preseason -- San Francisco is down to their fifth-string running back whose career YPC (3.9) is significantly below all four backs ahead of him. As a result, Shanahan may be compelled to use some combination of Taylor Jr., Israel Abanikanda, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Taylor Jr. is also less likely than his injured teammates to produce as a receiver. Miami's D is ranked 14th in running back half-PPR points against. The talent and usage questions place Taylor Jr. firmly in RB3/FLEX territory, even in a decent matchup.
Patrick Taylor Jr. Could Draw Start On Thursday Night Versus Rams
San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. could get his first career start on Thursday night in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Last week, Taylor Jr. took seven carries for 25 yards and sealed the blowout of the Chicago Bears with a touchdown in the fourth quarter after starter Isaac Guerendo left with a foot injury. It's common fantasy wisdom to point out that head coach Kyle Shanahan always eschews a committee approach, leaning almost exclusively on his starting running back. If Guerendo were to be ruled out -- and if you count Elijah Mitchell who was deemed out for the year during the preseason -- Taylor Jr. represents San Francisco's fifth-string running back. This may be the one situation where Shanahan decides to mix it up with his backfield snap distribution. The Rams are middle-of-the-pack in stopping the run and it's hard to argue for benching any RB starting for the 49ers. Still, Israel Abanikanda and Ke'Shawn Vaughn could eat into Taylor Jr.'s volume, as all three are basically replacement-level players. If Guerendo suits up, Taylor Jr. should be on fantasy benches, but if Guerendo can't go, the former Packer is a high-ceiling/low-floor play on the RB2/3 border.
Patrick Taylor Jr. Scores In Week 14 Versus Chicago
San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. saw his heaviest involvement of the season during a 38-13 Week 14 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday in Santa Clara. Taylor Jr. was, as predicted, an afterthought to rookie Issac Guerendo in the absence of Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle). The 26-year-old former Packer finished with seven carries for 25 yards, including a three-yard touchdown run to salt the game away after Guerendo (foot) exited late, not to return. Regardless of the touchdown, Taylor Jr. was mediocre on a per-carry basis, looking the part of a fourth-string running back. If Guerendo were to miss Week 15, Taylor Jr. would be a worthy waiver target mostly because of the premium role he'd step into, but shouldn't command near as much FAAB as Guerendo did last week, not least because he'd be far less likely to contribute as much as a receiver. That said, Taylor Jr. and the Niners get a vulnerable Rams rush defense at home in Week 15.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. Taylor will likely slot in as the No.2/No.3 option alongside Israel Abanikanda, while rookie Isaac Guerendo operates as the lead option. This move occurred as Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) were both placed on the injured reserve on Monday following their loss to the Buffalo Bills. Taylor spent his first three seasons with the Green Bay Packers serving as a depth option, averaging a solid 4.0 yards per carry. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should monitor who operates as the No.2 option behind Guerendo, as they could be a viable stash option during the fantasy playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. was waived by the team last week to make room for Christian McCaffrey on the active roster. However, Taylor is back with the organization less than a week later. It appears Taylor was decided to rejoin the practice squad after clearing waivers this week. This move doesn't mean much right now considering Taylor has seven carries for 25 yards on the season. He's nice depth to have given the how often running backs get injured in San Francisco. He figures to fall behind Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo in the pecking order for backups, so fantasy managers can ignore Taylor.
The San Francisco 49ers are signing free-agent running back Patrick Taylor to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 25-year-old went undrafted following his final collegiate season at Memphis, and he has spent the last four years with the Green Bay Packers, mostly as a reserve. Through his first 34 NFL games, Taylor has rushed 65 times for 261 yards and one touchdown and caught 14 passes for 69 yards. With Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, and Jordan Mason on the roster, it'd be surprising if Taylor has a role for San Francisco next season on offense. There's also no guarantee he will make the 53-man roster, so this signing is inconsequential for fantasy football.
Patrick Taylor Has Potential For Increased Workload
Green Bay Packers running back Patrick Taylor will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15. The 25-year-old has been efficient with his touches as the No. 2 back over the past few weeks, averaging a whopping 9.8 yards per carry. With Aaron Jones (knee) and AJ Dillon (thumb) both listed as questionable for this Sunday's game, Taylor could be in line for an increased workload or even the starting role if both aforementioned backs were to sit out. The problem is the matchup, as Tampa Bay allows the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs and are tied for the fifth-fewest rushing touchdowns allowed all season. Taylor would garner flex appeal if named the starter but temper expectations due to the matchup. If either Jones or Dillon are active, the fourth-year back can be safely left on the waiver wire.