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
Still the No. 2 back
Mitchell remains the clear No. 2 running back for San Francisco, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Lombardi notes that the Niners have a history of trading backup running backs (Matt Breida, Jeff Wilson) when they're happy with their depth at the position. That could be an option this summer, though it's not necessarily likely, with Mitchell in the final year of his contract and a pair of rookies (fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo, UDFA Cody Schrader) getting work at minicamp. The 49ers also have returning veteran Jordan Mason, but he's mostly played special teams and has never managed to move above Mitchell on the depth chart when Mitchell's been healthy. The long-term plan probably entails Guerendo taking over as the No. 2 RB behind Christian McCaffrey, but Mitchell looks on track to handle the role again this season.
Lombardi notes that the Niners have a history of trading backup running backs (Matt Breida, Jeff Wilson) when they're happy with their depth at the position. That could be an option this summer, though it's not necessarily likely, with Mitchell in the final year of his contract and a pair of rookies (fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo, UDFA Cody Schrader) getting work at minicamp. The 49ers also have returning veteran Jordan Mason, but he's mostly played special teams and has never managed to move above Mitchell on the depth chart when Mitchell's been healthy. The long-term plan probably entails Guerendo taking over as the No. 2 RB behind Christian McCaffrey, but Mitchell looks on track to handle the role again this season.
NFL Stats
Loading NFL Stats...
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.
Loading Fantasy/Red Zone Stats...
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
Loading Game Log...
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
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Alignment Breakdown...
Loading Team Alignment Breakdown...
2023 Elijah Mitchell Split Stats
Loading NFL Split Stats...
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
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Elijah Mitchell See More
Rashee Rice is one of the many players whose ADP rebounded in July after sinking earlier this offseason. RotoWire's Jerry Donabedian gives the full breakdown on recent ADP movement.
Elijah Mitchell has had poor injury luck, but he remains a capable player in a deep and explosive San Francisco backfield.
DraftKings offers the best value for stacking Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin, while Drafters and Underdog tend to have top running backs available at later ADPs.
The NFL offseason may still have a blockbuster trade to come, with the top candidates at this point being Davante Adams and Brandon Aiyuk.
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
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
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this 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
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
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
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Limited in return to practice
Mitchell (illness) was limited at practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Comes down with illness
Mitchell didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Running ahead of rookie
Mitchell remains the top backup to Christian McCaffrey ahead of 2024 fourth-round draft pick Isaac Guerendo, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Mitchell is set to reprise his role as McCaffrey's top backup in 2024, with Guerendo likely to move into that spot in 2025, as Mitchell's contract will expire after the 2024 season. McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards in 2023, and Mitchell's opportunities will likely remain limited while McCaffrey is healthy, but Mitchell proved capable of handling a starting role with 963 rushing yards as a rookie in 2021.
Mitchell is set to reprise his role as McCaffrey's top backup in 2024, with Guerendo likely to move into that spot in 2025, as Mitchell's contract will expire after the 2024 season. McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards in 2023, and Mitchell's opportunities will likely remain limited while McCaffrey is healthy, but Mitchell proved capable of handling a starting role with 963 rushing yards as a rookie in 2021.