Opportunity Flags
2- Target Volume
With Christian McCaffrey needing snap management across a full season, any McCaffrey rest day or injury creates a path to touches for whichever backup is trusted in that game, and James's preseason showing keeps him in that conversation.
- Coaching Continuity
Kyle Shanahan has publicly praised James's late-2025 finish and said he regretted not playing him more, signaling the staff sees long-term upside even while Black holds the current edge.