The Athlon Sports 2023 Fantasy Football Annual magazine reached out to team insiders at all 32 NFL clubs to ask them three key fantasy questions heading into the season. As we count down to training camp, Sports Illustrated will publish their answers here. Today’s team: San Francisco 49ers
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Does the team plan to use Deebo Samuel less as a rusher with Christian McCaffrey on the roster?
Based on what happened after the 49ers traded for McCaffrey last year, the answer is yes. Samuel averaged 3.8 carries in the season’s first six games before averaging 2.7 in the seven games he played with McCaffrey. Barring a rash of backfield injuries, which inspired the 49ers to initially use Samuel far more as a runner in 2021 (53 carries in final eight games), the fantasy bump he gets from moonlighting in the backfield figures to be modest.
