Should I start Jordan Mason in Week 2? Fantasy football projection for 49ers RB

Jordan Mason entered the 2024 fantasy football as simply a handcuff for Christian McCaffrey. After exploding for a massive performance in Week 1 for the San Francisco 49ers, he is now firmly on the radar for Week 2 lineups. Here's everything to know about his fantasy projections for a matchup with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Jordan Mason's fantasy outlook for Week 2

Jordan Mason

Christian McCaffrey was listed as questionable for the San Francisco 49ers' Week 1 game against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. Many reports suggested that he was expected to play, but he was surprisingly made inactive before kickoff.

This resulted in Jordan Mason being given the opportunity to serve as the Niners' starting running back. He capitalized on it in a big way, recording 28 carries for 147 yards and a touchdown on his way to a weekly RB3 finish. If McCaffrey is unable to play in Week 2, Mason should receive a similar workload against the Minnesota Vikings.

Is Jordan Mason a good pick?

Mason's fantasy value in Week 2 will largely be dependent upon McCaffrey's availability. If he is the 49ers' starter again, he will make for an elite option to use in fantasy lineups this week. If McCaffrey plays, Mason will be difficult to trust, making him more of a bench stash going forward.

The Vikings' defense allowed Devin Singletary to rush for just 37 yards last week, but the New York Giants' offense severely struggled as a whole. The 49ers are coming off of a dominant offensive performance against the Jets' elite defense, so Mason is a locked-in fantasy starter if McCaffrey is forced to miss Week 2.

Should you pick up Jordan Mason in Week 2?

After his breakout performance in Week 1, Mason is one of the best overall players to pick up on the waiver wire in any fantasy league where he is still available. He went undrafted in many leagues this year due to his limited playing time projections behind McCaffrey, but that will change ahead of Week 2.

Finding high-upside targets on the waiver wire is one of the best ways to build a winning roster in season-long fantasy football. Few opportunities arise to get a player as valuable as Mason, despite the risk of his workload potentially disappearing if McCaffrey returns this week. He already showed his massive ceiling when he does play, so he is worth adding in all formats.