Can You Trust Christian McCaffrey For Fantasy Football? Fantasy Football Outlook

Is this the year we can finally call RB Christian McCaffrey durable? Will he be able to play a full season? Sam takes a closer look and gives his fantasy football outlook.

Perhaps the most invaluable player in fantasy football over the last couple of years has been San Francisco 49ers running back, Christian McCaffrey. He is an unstoppable force when on the field, and offers more production than just about anyone at his position.

However, CMC has had issues staying healthy over the course of his career. It has caused headaches for both his NFL organizations and fantasy football owners.

With that said, we must now ask, are the McCaffrey injury concerns finally a thing of the past? Was last year's durability an indication of what's to come? Let's dive deeper and find the answer.

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Is Christian McCaffrey Finally Someone You Can Trust?

Did you draft the most explosive running back in the NFL this season to lead your team to a fantasy championship? Did you also draft the most injury-prone running back in the NFL to lead your team to a fantasy championship? Chances are, they are the same person. 

The former long-time Carolina Panthers star and current 49er was being drafted as high as the number one overall pick this summer in fantasy football drafts. But was it warranted? The speedy and elusive playmaker is undeniably a fantasy monster when on the field, but will he be in 2023?

It feels like CMC has been around forever. But believe it or not, the young superstar is only 27 years old and is just now hitting his prime. If he can find his way to shake the injury association whenever his name is said, he will be a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Here's the problem. Last season was the first time since 2019 that he played a full complement of games for his organization. He appeared in six games for the Panthers, then was traded out west. He played 11 contests for his new team in San Francisco. In 2021 and 2020, he only played in seven and three games, respectively.

Will Christian McCaffrey Be Worth It In 2023 Fantasy Football?

The oft-injured tailback is a monster when it comes to producing for fantasy managers who decided he was worth the risk in seasons past. When on the field and not in the blue tent, CMC seemingly resides in the end zone. He scored 13 touchdowns in 2022 (that's not including one passing TD!). 

The thing that makes McCaffrey so dangerous to opposing defenses, and similarly to opposing fantasy owners facing him in matchups each week, is his unbelievable ability to do damage both on the ground and through the air. Last season, CMC caught a wide receiver-like number of balls, hauling in 85 receptions and five touchdowns while also rushing for 1,139 yards and taking eight trips to the end zone.

When some fantasy owners sit in their draft rooms each year, many have trouble deciding whether or not to pull the trigger on such an electric and elite talent. This isn't because they don't want to win their leagues, but because they understandably don't want their first overall selection to be on the injured list for good portions of the season. 

How Many Games Will Christian McCaffrey Play In 2023?

Do you have a crystal ball? Me neither. There is no way to predict the amount of action number 23 will see in 2023; however, we certainly can make an educated guess. 

If we base his future on his past, the likelihood that McCaffrey will play in every game this upcoming season is low. There is a strong possibility he won't be available to slot into fantasy rosters for a full regular season and playoff slate. However, barring something unforeseen, his health is trending upward, he has had an injury-free training camp for the first time in years, and the glass half full people believe in him!

Predicting his playing time in 2023 isn't the only caution flag for fantasy players who are counting on the veteran running back to propel them to a title. One other aspect of the situation that could very likely put a tiny dent in his overall production is competition for touches.

San Francisco is offensively loaded with weapons like Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk. They are going to score a ton of points. In all likelihood, McCaffrey will capture a strong percentage of that production. However, if you own him, keep your fingers crossed he doesn't pop up on the injury report and that he remains the number-one option in the game plan for 2023.

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