Isaac Guerendo

Guerendo assumes the direct handcuff role for the 49ers in 2025 after Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell were jettisoned this offseason. Guerenedo earned this role last year when he was asked to assume the starting job. Guerendo had four games last year where he played at least 55% of the snaps, and he averaged 16.7 touches and 101 total yards. In weekly fantasy scoring in those outings, he finished as the RB10, RB2, RB25, and RB11. Guerendo was also an explosive player on a per-touch basis. Among 70 qualifying backs, he ranked sixth in explosive run rate and seventh in missed tackles forced per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Guerendo is arguably the most valuable handcuff in fantasy football because if Christian McCaffrey were to miss any time, we know what we'd be getting weekly, and that's RB1 production.

Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported that he expects the 49ers to be in the mix to draft a running back in the NFL Draft.

Fantasy Impact

This was likely as soon as San Francisco recently traded Jordan Mason to the Vikings. Guerendo remains the backup to Christian McCaffrey for now, but that could change depending on who it is the 49ers draft.