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Fantasy football: 5 49ers you should draft in 2018

By Peter Panacy

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Jerick McKinnon #21 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Running Back Jerick McKinnon

2018 ADP: 2.08

Jerick McKinnon’s 2018 ADP of 2.08 easily makes him the highest-ranked 49ers player in fantasy football, per Fantasy Football Calculator.

That for a player who’d never had more than 570 rush yards in a single season?

Well, yes. And there are plenty of reasons why. For starters, McKinnon is a tailor-made tailback in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. His ability to operate behind zone-blocking schemes, vision and dual-purpose abilities should account for a phenomenal season.

If you’re still unclear how, just check this out from 49ers Webzone’s Rich Madrid.

McKinnon is one of those players not likely to lead the league in rushing, particularly with Shanahan employing a dual-back approach. But where McKinnon wins is in his overall yards from scrimmage. It wouldn’t be out of the question to see McKinnon rush for 1,000 yards while adding another 500, or so, through the air.

Related Story: Fantasy football: Jerick McKinnon now Kyle Shanahan's next Devonta Freeman?

A total of 1,500 all-purpose yards is fantasy football gold for owners.

While it would be perfectly OK to spend a first pick on a true RB 1 — Todd Gurley, Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, etc. — save that first-round pick in your fantasy draft for another impact player and look to target McKinnon as your No. 1 option at the position.

Next: Fantasy football: The ideal mock draft for 2018

If things work out for McKinnon the way we think it will, you’ll be thankful you did.