5 Christian McCaffrey replacement options in fantasy football

Let’s start with the super obvious: there is no fully replacing San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey.

He held an average draft position of 1.0 every format for a reason. Between his ability to find every seam in the run game, serve as an option in the passing game and flash his creativity in both, there’s simply no one like him in fantasy or real football.

That already put his managers in a bind ahead of Week 1’s Monday Night Football opener against the New York Jets when he was ruled out shortly before kickoff.

On Saturday, the news got even worse. McCaffrey is headed to injured reserve with a calf/Achilles injury and will miss at least the next for games. The soonest he could suit up again would be for a Week 6 Thursday night matchup in Seattle.

So what are fantasy managers supposed to do in the meantime? Well, if you haven’t already nabbed McCaffrey’s backup Jordan Mason, these are your best options.

Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Technically, Ezekiel Elliot is atop the Dallas depth chart, but that may be a mere formality. Dowdle saw 44 percent of the snaps on offense, though we didn’t really get to see what he could do in the blowout at Cleveland. The 26-year-old should have a bit more burst than Elliott and you can expect the Cowboys to continue working him into the fold more over the next few weeks.

Dowdle is available in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues and 63 percent of ESPN leagues.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

Hubbard is the RB1 in Carolina as long as rookie Jonathan Brooks is still rehabbing his ACL. That could make Hubbard the perfect stopgap while McCaffrey is on IR.

But while Hubbard’s snap count may be high by default, don’t expect a ton of production from him unless the Panthers offense can start putting up points, More blowouts like Week 1 and it won’t matter where he is on the depth chart.

Hubbard is available in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues and 22 percent of ESPN leagues.

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos

Much like Ezekiel Elliot, Javonte Williams may be RB1 in name only. McLaughlin had a 50 percent snap rate on rushing plays in Week 1, and while 28 total yards isn’t what anyone wanted to see from that share, it’s not a surprising outcome going up against a Seattle defense at home. Especially when the Broncos are starting a rookie QB.

McLaughlin’s five targets are also a promising sign that better performances are ahead.

He’s available in 64 percent of Yahoo leagues and 59 percent of ESPN leagues.

Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

Mattison was electric in his debut for the Raiders, even if he didn’t get as many carries as RB1 Zamir White. The former Vikings tailback did, however, finish with 62 total yards and a touchdown, thanks to four catches on six targets.

He’s available in 65 percent of Yahoo leagues and 89 percent of ESPN leagues.

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If you’re not in a PPR league, Irving may just be the replacement you’re looking for. The Buccaneers’ rookie led the team with 62 rushing yards in Week 1, though RB1 Rachaad White caught six passes for 75 yards.

Should anything happen to White, it’s clear Irving will handle top back duties, but in the meantime he’s making the most of the snaps he’s getting.

Irving is available in 82 percent of ESPN leagues and 68 percent of Yahoo leagues.