Before we enter the fantasy football season...

[I_am_1z]

What are some things we need to know before this season starts?

1.) The perception of the Eagles and Ram's offense. I think both coaches for these teams were well ahead of the curve, but in the offseason those defensive coordinators catch up with you. Remember when people thought RG3 and Nick Foles were the future of the NFL? I'm getting that feeling again, but this time with teams that are stacked. I don't think Wentz or Goff are as good as the system is making them look--especially Wentz. I see regression in passing numbers, but both teams are so balanced that they'll still find ways to score because of the athletes they have out on the field.

2.) If Joe Williams shows up in shape, then don't think about drafting McKinnon as early as he's going currently. Got to remember he was hand picked by Kyle Shanahan, but the knocks on him have been about his conditioning. McKinnon, Breida, Williams are all elite athletes and "good-enough" RBs, they don't separate themselves too much in any regard. Joe Williams could plausibly become the feature back down the stretch.

3.) This one is simple...draft Josh Gordon.

[CrimsonCrew]

Williams also has something of a fumbling problem (5 in 219 touches in 2016, I believe) that he'll have to fix if he wants to see the field. And he hasn't shown he's much of a receiver (20 college receptions). McKinnon was good both in pass blocking and catching the ball last year.

As for Josh Gordon...I just don't know. The guy is incredibly talented. But what a head case.

[I_am_1z]

Williams also has something of a fumbling problem (5 in 219 touches in 2016, I believe) that he'll have to fix if he wants to see the field. And he hasn't shown he's much of a receiver (20 college receptions). McKinnon was good both in pass blocking and catching the ball last year.

As for Josh Gordon...I just don't know. The guy is incredibly talented. But what a head case.

I gotta imagine Joe is pretty good out of the backfield for Kyle to compare him to Tevin Coleman. He use to line up Coleman as a slot receiver with the Falcons on occasion. Now McKinnon's only elite part of his game is pass blocking. He's not a short yardage/goaline back where Joe Willams you would figure has a chance to be the guy with his competitors being smaller speed backs.

Josh Gordon is risky most definitely but the he has a realistic shot at leading the NFL in receiving yards as long as Tyrod Taylor remains starter who's the best QB Gordon has worked with thus far into his career. The Browns will almost always be trailing so we know that's a lot of pass attempts. Just draft Gordon

[CrimsonCrew]

Williams also has something of a fumbling problem (5 in 219 touches in 2016, I believe) that he'll have to fix if he wants to see the field. And he hasn't shown he's much of a receiver (20 college receptions). McKinnon was good both in pass blocking and catching the ball last year.

As for Josh Gordon...I just don't know. The guy is incredibly talented. But what a head case.

I gotta imagine Joe is pretty good out of the backfield for Kyle to compare him to Tevin Coleman. He use to line up Coleman as a slot receiver with the Falcons on occasion. Now McKinnon's only elite part of his game is pass blocking. He's not a short yardage/goaline back where Joe Willams you would figure has a chance to be the guy with his competitors being smaller speed backs.

Josh Gordon is risky most definitely but the he has a realistic shot at leading the NFL in receiving yards as long as Tyrod Taylor remains starter who's the best QB Gordon has worked with thus far into his career. The Browns will almost always be trailing so we know that's a lot of pass attempts. Just draft Gordon

Williams could make strides as a receiver, but there just isn't much of a sample size and it's unlikely he's there at this point. He also hasn't shown he's much of a blocker. And he's actually less thickly built than McKinnon. McKinnon was 5'9", 209 at the combine, and has probably bulked up since. Williams was 5'11" and 210.

No disagreement with Gordon's potential, but man he's a risk.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Williams also has something of a fumbling problem (5 in 219 touches in 2016, I believe) that he'll have to fix if he wants to see the field. And he hasn't shown he's much of a receiver (20 college receptions). McKinnon was good both in pass blocking and catching the ball last year.

As for Josh Gordon...I just don't know. The guy is incredibly talented. But what a head case.

I gotta imagine Joe is pretty good out of the backfield for Kyle to compare him to Tevin Coleman. He use to line up Coleman as a slot receiver with the Falcons on occasion. Now McKinnon's only elite part of his game is pass blocking. He's not a short yardage/goaline back where Joe Willams you would figure has a chance to be the guy with his competitors being smaller speed backs.

Josh Gordon is risky most definitely but the he has a realistic shot at leading the NFL in receiving yards as long as Tyrod Taylor remains starter who's the best QB Gordon has worked with thus far into his career. The Browns will almost always be trailing so we know that's a lot of pass attempts. Just draft Gordon

Jerick McKinnon - RB - 49ers

49ers.com reports Jerick McKinnon's chemistry with Jimmy Garoppolo has been "on point" in training camp.

Pass catching is a huge part of McKinnon's game, while targeting running backs has long been a staple of coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. With Garoppolo's quick release, McKinnon could get the ball in open space and be off to the races quite often this season.
Source: 49ers.com

Jul 31 - 5:08 PM

[Mamba Mentality]

I see a lot of Devonte Freeman in McKinnon, and I imagine Kyle Shanahan is going to use him the same way. It wouldn't surprise me if he finished the season as a top 10 rb. I personally don't think Joe Williams poses much of a treat, and I give you 30 million reasons why...

[Pattersonca65]

What are some things we need to know before this season starts?

1.) The perception of the Eagles and Ram's offense. I think both coaches for these teams were well ahead of the curve, but in the offseason those defensive coordinators catch up with you. Remember when people thought RG3 and Nick Foles were the future of the NFL? I'm getting that feeling again, but this time with teams that are stacked. I don't think Wentz or Goff are as good as the system is making them look--especially Wentz. I see regression in passing numbers, but both teams are so balanced that they'll still find ways to score because of the athletes they have out on the field.

2.) If Joe Williams shows up in shape, then don't think about drafting McKinnon as early as he's going currently. Got to remember he was hand picked by Kyle Shanahan, but the knocks on him have been about his conditioning. McKinnon, Breida, Williams are all elite athletes and "good-enough" RBs, they don't separate themselves too much in any regard. Joe Williams could plausibly become the feature back down the stretch.

3.) This one is simple...draft Josh Gordon.

I wouldn't draft McKinnon early anyway. I expect Shanahan will use a committee approach at running backs which will limit the fantasy value of any of the running backs on the roster. It wouldn't surprise me to see the 49er backs the same way as New England's. Boom and bust. They will get a lot of points one week and close to nothing the next.

[I_am_1z]

I see a lot of Devonte Freeman in McKinnon, and I imagine Kyle Shanahan is going to use him the same way. It wouldn't surprise me if he finished the season as a top 10 rb. I personally don't think Joe Williams poses much of a treat, and I give you 30 million reasons why...

If the 49ers are a team you project to be top 10 in points scored and McKinnon nor Breida are short yardage or goaline backs, then it might be worth picking up the goaline back in fantasy. I'll say it again, I think they all are about the same skill level, but at least Joe Williams is the bigger back. That along with being hand picked by Shanahan he has going in his favor.

[CrimsonCrew]

What are some things we need to know before this season starts?

1.) The perception of the Eagles and Ram's offense. I think both coaches for these teams were well ahead of the curve, but in the offseason those defensive coordinators catch up with you. Remember when people thought RG3 and Nick Foles were the future of the NFL? I'm getting that feeling again, but this time with teams that are stacked. I don't think Wentz or Goff are as good as the system is making them look--especially Wentz. I see regression in passing numbers, but both teams are so balanced that they'll still find ways to score because of the athletes they have out on the field.

2.) If Joe Williams shows up in shape, then don't think about drafting McKinnon as early as he's going currently. Got to remember he was hand picked by Kyle Shanahan, but the knocks on him have been about his conditioning. McKinnon, Breida, Williams are all elite athletes and "good-enough" RBs, they don't separate themselves too much in any regard. Joe Williams could plausibly become the feature back down the stretch.

3.) This one is simple...draft Josh Gordon.

I wouldn't draft McKinnon early anyway. I expect Shanahan will use a committee approach at running backs which will limit the fantasy value of any of the running backs on the roster. It wouldn't surprise me to see the 49er backs the same way as New England's. Boom and bust. They will get a lot of points one week and close to nothing the next.

I'm a little torn. I expect Breida to play a bigger role than most expect. But I don't see NE as a template so much as I see Atlanta under Shanahan as a template. I think we'll have two primary guys in Breida and McKinnon, and then Williams or Mostert might get a little action. If Williams does make the team, things get a bit more muddled, but NE has been so hard on fantasy owners because they have very different backs who are used COMPLETELY differently depending on the game script, and although you can guess a bit, you're never really sure who will be the bell cow. Blount would score double-digit points one week, then Dion Lewis would score double-digit points the next and Blount would put up 1. I don't expect that sort of discrepancy. I think McKinnon will be at least solid every week - especially in PPR - but he's probably not going to be the bell-cow that some of the other top RBs will be.

[Pattersonca65]

What are some things we need to know before this season starts?

1.) The perception of the Eagles and Ram's offense. I think both coaches for these teams were well ahead of the curve, but in the offseason those defensive coordinators catch up with you. Remember when people thought RG3 and Nick Foles were the future of the NFL? I'm getting that feeling again, but this time with teams that are stacked. I don't think Wentz or Goff are as good as the system is making them look--especially Wentz. I see regression in passing numbers, but both teams are so balanced that they'll still find ways to score because of the athletes they have out on the field.

2.) If Joe Williams shows up in shape, then don't think about drafting McKinnon as early as he's going currently. Got to remember he was hand picked by Kyle Shanahan, but the knocks on him have been about his conditioning. McKinnon, Breida, Williams are all elite athletes and "good-enough" RBs, they don't separate themselves too much in any regard. Joe Williams could plausibly become the feature back down the stretch.

3.) This one is simple...draft Josh Gordon.

I wouldn't draft McKinnon early anyway. I expect Shanahan will use a committee approach at running backs which will limit the fantasy value of any of the running backs on the roster. It wouldn't surprise me to see the 49er backs the same way as New England's. Boom and bust. They will get a lot of points one week and close to nothing the next.

I'm a little torn. I expect Breida to play a bigger role than most expect. But I don't see NE as a template so much as I see Atlanta under Shanahan as a template. I think we'll have two primary guys in Breida and McKinnon, and then Williams or Mostert might get a little action. If Williams does make the team, things get a bit more muddled, but NE has been so hard on fantasy owners because they have very different backs who are used COMPLETELY differently depending on the game script, and although you can guess a bit, you're never really sure who will be the bell cow. Blount would score double-digit points one week, then Dion Lewis would score double-digit points the next and Blount would put up 1. I don't expect that sort of discrepancy. I think McKinnon will be at least solid every week - especially in PPR - but he's probably not going to be the bell-cow that some of the other top RBs will be.

I share your opinion on Breida. Reports I've read out of camp say he is looking really good and has been taking first string snaps. Looks as much the starter as McKinnon. Right now as you say he won't be the bell cow that some other top RBs will be. I would be hesitant to use a first round pick on him, particularly a high first round pick.

[CrimsonCrew]

I wouldn't draft McKinnon early anyway. I expect Shanahan will use a committee approach at running backs which will limit the fantasy value of any of the running backs on the roster. It wouldn't surprise me to see the 49er backs the same way as New England's. Boom and bust. They will get a lot of points one week and close to nothing the next.

I'm a little torn. I expect Breida to play a bigger role than most expect. But I don't see NE as a template so much as I see Atlanta under Shanahan as a template. I think we'll have two primary guys in Breida and McKinnon, and then Williams or Mostert might get a little action. If Williams does make the team, things get a bit more muddled, but NE has been so hard on fantasy owners because they have very different backs who are used COMPLETELY differently depending on the game script, and although you can guess a bit, you're never really sure who will be the bell cow. Blount would score double-digit points one week, then Dion Lewis would score double-digit points the next and Blount would put up 1. I don't expect that sort of discrepancy. I think McKinnon will be at least solid every week - especially in PPR - but he's probably not going to be the bell-cow that some of the other top RBs will be.

I share your opinion on Breida. Reports I've read out of camp say he is looking really good and has been taking first string snaps. Looks as much the starter as McKinnon. Right now as you say he won't be the bell cow that some other top RBs will be. I would be hesitant to use a first round pick on him, particularly a high first round pick.

Yeah, he's probably a second-round pick. But in PPR especially, he's got a lot of upside. Breida has apparently made strides as a receiver, but he had a long way to go.

I will say, the success Breida is having, and the depth of this year's RB class, makes it a little frustrating that we spent so much money on McKinnon. He could be special in this offense, but he'll need to be to even come close to justifying his contract. I hate spending on the RB spot, and we paid out the nose for him.