Elijah Mitchell is the Handcuff You Want for Fantasy Football in 2023

Fantasy football handcuffs are always tricky to figure out. Handcuffs describe backup running backs who would presumably receive a starter-level workload if the player ahead of them misses any time. Sometimes, handcuffs can be very valuable, as when they hit they offer league-winning upside. On the other hand, they can also be a complete waste of a roster spot if they never get the opportunity to play. Here’s a look at if 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell is worth rostering as a handcuff at his ADP of RB40.

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Elijah Mitchell’s Career In Review

After being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Mitchell burst onto the fantasy football scene in his rookie year. In just 11 games, he totaled 1,100 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns, ranking 12th among running backs in fantasy points per game. He was able to beat out several other competitors after Raheem Mostert got hurt—like Trey Sermon and Jeff Wilson—and established himself as the RB1 for Kyle Shanahan.

Mitchell had a much more difficult season in 2022. He was hampered by injuries, playing in only five games. Furthermore, the 49ers traded for superstar running back Christian McCaffrey at the trade deadline, meaning Mitchell saw far less volume when he was playing compared to the season before. So, while there is no doubt that Mitchell is a talented player—his rookie season proved that—he might not get as many opportunities to shine because he is playing behind arguably the most complete running back in the NFL.

Mitchell in the 49ers' Offense

While Mitchell lost his role as the RB1 after CMC arrived, he remained somewhat relevant in the 49ers' offense. Here’s a breakdown of McCaffrey’s usage with and without Mitchell healthy last season (I omitted McCaffrey’s first game with the 49ers where he played just 29% of snaps).

For reference, Mitchell had 39 carries and averaged 9.5 fantasy points per game in the four games he played with CMC. These stats are telling, as they suggest that Mitchell will still be involved in the offense alongside McCaffrey.

Mitchell, and the entire 49ers offense, will benefit from being in one of the best offensive systems for a running back of all time. Kyle Shanahan has a penchant for churning out excellent running back seasons, even if they come from unexpected players. The fact that Mitchell has Shanahan’s trust and knows the system well further indicates that he will not be thrown to the side this season and will have stand-alone value. The 49ers might also have to especially lean on the run game in 2023 if quarterback Brock Purdy is not healthy to start the year. All these factors show us that Mitchell is closer to a second option running back à la A.J. Dillon or Rashaad Penny than a pure handcuff.

Is Drafting Mitchell Worth It?

As a whole, drafting handcuffs can be inefficient as you are sometimes simply praying for an injury. However, I believe that there is enough data and precedent to suggest that Mitchell will be more than that. He is clearly the No. 2 running back in the offense (the guys behind him are Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price) and has already succeeded in this system. Even if he takes 10 touches a game from McCaffrey, he has the talent and opportunity to be a FLEX-level player, especially if the 49ers want to manage CMC’s workload to diminish his injury risk. It goes without saying that if McCaffrey—who is far from an iron man at the running back position—misses time, Mitchell would immediately become a weekly top-12 option.

In the 10th round of fantasy drafts, getting a FLEX-level player with immense upside isn’t too bad at all. Among the other backup running backs going around there—guys like Jerick McKinnon and Tyler Allgeier—Mitchell has both the clearest path to relevance without an injury and the highest ceiling in the event of one.

The Bottom Line

• Mitchell is a great player who had an excellent rookie season but was hampered by injuries in 2022. He enters this season as the clear-cut RB2 in the 49ers' offense behind Christian McCaffrey.
• In the games that Mitchell and CMC both played in, Mitchell was surprisingly used a decent amount and proved he still has a role on the team. He also benefits from being in an excellent offensive system.
• Mitchell will see enough volume to be a FLEX-level player in fantasy or to fill in for a starter in a pinch even if McCaffrey is healthy.
• If you are going to draft a handcuff, Mitchell is the one. He has an appealing combination of talent, stand-alone value, and upside and is a solid pick at his ADP of RB40.