Elijah Mitchell
26-Year-Old
2023 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
75
YDS
281
TD
2
YDS
14
TD
0
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Mitchell showed as a rookie that he has the talent to be a good starting running back in the NFL, but he's struggled to stay healthy even when occupying a backup role. He spent the past year and a half behind the league's pre-eminent workhorse, Christian McCaffrey, who might not have been acquired in the first place if Mitchell had been healthier his first two seasons. The medical problems date back to Mitchell's time at Louisiana Tech and help explain why he was a sixth-round pick in 2021 even after running a 4.38 40 (at 5-10, 201). In any case, he's missed 24 of a possible 51 regular-season games, and San Francisco couldn't resist the temptation of drafting Louisville burner Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round this spring. who not only matches and exceeds Mitchell's speed threat, but does so at roughly 20 pounds heavier. Guerendo is 20 pounds heavier and ran an even faster 40 (4.33), making him a threat to take Mitchell's spot on the depth chart despite never earning a lead-back role during his time at Wisconsin and Louisville. It's enough of a concern to knock Mitchell from the elite-handcuff range he occupied heading into last season. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Cashes in short touchdown
Mitchell had four carries for seven yards and a touchdown Sunday in the 49ers' 34-31 win over the Lions in the NFC Championship Game.
ANALYSIS
Mitchell punched in a three-yard run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, making the most of his minor role on the day. The 25-year-old finished with just six snaps on offense, with most of his reps coming late in the game when starting running back Christian McCaffrey exited in the fourth quarter after coming just a few yards short of his third rushing touchdown of the contest. McCaffrey's departure appeared to the result of him landing hard on his head, but with the 49ers offering no indication that the 27-year-old has entered concussion protocol, he should shoulder a heavy workload out of the backfield against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11. As such, Mitchell should be viewed as little more than a low-end DFS option, despite provided a touchdown run in the NFC Championship Game.
Mitchell punched in a three-yard run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, making the most of his minor role on the day. The 25-year-old finished with just six snaps on offense, with most of his reps coming late in the game when starting running back Christian McCaffrey exited in the fourth quarter after coming just a few yards short of his third rushing touchdown of the contest. McCaffrey's departure appeared to the result of him landing hard on his head, but with the 49ers offering no indication that the 27-year-old has entered concussion protocol, he should shoulder a heavy workload out of the backfield against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11. As such, Mitchell should be viewed as little more than a low-end DFS option, despite provided a touchdown run in the NFC Championship Game.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Elijah Mitchell's 2023 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
17.3%Positive Run %
85.3%% Yds After Contact
61.6%Avg Yds After Contact
2.3Rushing TD %
2.7%Touches Per Game
7.4% Snaps w/Touch
51.3%Air Yards Per Game
-1.6Air Yards Per Snap
-0.11% Team Air Yards
-0.5%% Team Targets
1.7%Avg Depth of Target
-2.3 YdsCatch Rate
75.0%Drop Rate
12.5%Avg Yds After Catch
4.7% Targeted On Route
15.7%Avg Yds Per Route Run
0.27Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2023
2022
2021
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Elijah Mitchell lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 Elijah Mitchell Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Elijah Mitchell's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
* All metrics are from his Pro Day (not the combine).
Height
5' 10"Weight
200 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.33 secShuttle Time
4.20 secCone Drill
6.94 secVertical Jump
37.5 inBroad Jump
128 inBench Press
17 repsHand Length
9.50 inArm Length
31.00 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Set for Week 18 start
Mitchell will likely start for the 49ers in Week 18 with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting that Christian McCaffrey won't play due to a mild calf strain.
ANALYSIS
McCaffrey left Sunday's win over the Commanders early due to the injury, and Mitchell stepped up with his biggest workload and most productive game of the season, rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. With San Francisco having already locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the team has no reason to risk McCaffrey making his strain worse in the regular-season finale. Jordan Mason could also see an elevated workload in Week 18 as Mitchell's backup.
McCaffrey left Sunday's win over the Commanders early due to the injury, and Mitchell stepped up with his biggest workload and most productive game of the season, rushing for 80 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. With San Francisco having already locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the team has no reason to risk McCaffrey making his strain worse in the regular-season finale. Jordan Mason could also see an elevated workload in Week 18 as Mitchell's backup.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
Mitchell is a starter-level running back when healthy, so it's a shame the majority of his 2022 was wiped out by knee troubles. First, Mitchell sprained his right MCL on a slippery Soldier Field in Week 1, then three games into his return he sprained the left MCL in Week 12. Although he entered the season as San Francisco's clear RB1, Mitchell's fantasy value took a blow greater than either knee injury when the 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey in October. Good as Mitchell is, he'll never imitate McCaffrey, especially as a pass catcher. Still, Mitchell's sub-4.4 speed plays well off the bench, and the 49ers run often enough at fast enough tempo that there should be a handful of 10-carry weeks for Mitchell even if McCaffrey is at full strength. If McCaffrey misses time, Mitchell would likely have no trouble holding off the likes of Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price for the starting job -- a role he handled more than capably in the past, apart from repeatedly being forced out with injuries.
More Fantasy News
Starts in place of CMC
Mitchell rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts while catching both of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams.
ANALYSIS
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Cleared to face Rams
Mitchell (illness) doesn't have a game designation for Sunday against the Rams, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
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Limited in return to practice
Mitchell (illness) was limited at practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Comes down with illness
Mitchell didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Could lead Week 18 ground attack
Mitchell profiles as the next man up to lead the San Francisco backfield in Sunday's game against the Rams with Christian McCaffrey (calf) having been ruled out for Week 18, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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