Who is Isaac Guerendo? The Fantasy Football Sleeper You Need to Know After Jordan Mason’s Injury

Isaac Guerendo fantasy football
Kyle Shanahan's shiny new toy was unleashed on TNF.

Jordan Mason started strong in Week 6, rushing eight times for 65 yards before leaving the game with a left shoulder injury in the second quarter. Although he returned for one carry in the second half, he exited for the remainder of the game, leaving rookie RB Isaac Guerendo as the primary back. Guerendo shared snaps with Patrick Taylor (17 to 16), while Deebo Samuel and Kyle Juszczyk sprinkled in.

With Mason out, Kyle Shanahan was up to his Shanahanigans again.

Guerendo initially received most of the carries (10) but struggled to put together positive runs, prompting Shannahan to add Taylor to the mix. However, Guerendo sealed the game with a blazing 76-yard run, sliding down at the five-yard line to preserve the dub against their division rival.

If Mason misses time, Guerendo is expected to take over as the primary back, though he will likely share the backfield with Taylor, Deebo, and Juszczyk. Either way, Isaac Guerendo is worth a fantasy football Week 7 waiver wire stash with Christian McCaffrey M.I.A. and Jordan Mason banged up in this juicy fantasy backfield.

ISAAC GUERENDO: PHYSICAL SPECIMEN + SCHEME FIT

Isaac Guerendo made waves at this year’s NFL Combine, standing out as one of the most impressive running back prospects ever. His exceptional performance helped raise his draft stock significantly, leading the San Francisco 49ers to select him in the fourth round.

A transfer from Wisconsin, Guerendo showcased his athletic prowess with a 9.90 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), demonstrating an elite combination of size and speed at 6-feet, 221 pounds. His 4.33-second 40-yard dash (24.08 MPH), along with a 41.5-inch vertical jump and 10’09” broad jump, cemented his reputation as one of the most explosive athletes in the class. He also impressed in agility drills, clocking a 4.15 shuttle and a 6.94 three-cone drill.

Known for his north-south, one-cut running style, Guerendo has serious burst and breakaway speed. Although he played the 1B role at Louisville behind Jawhar Jordan, with 132 carries to Jordan’s 181, Guerendo still made his mark, racking up over 1,000 total yards while averaging 6.1 yards per carry and scoring 11 touchdowns.

In addition to his rushing ability, Guerendo is a capable pass-catcher, making him a versatile option who can contribute on third downs. Although he’s clearly been behind Jordan Mason, his combination of size, speed, and versatility has flashed during the first few weeks of his rookie season with CMC out of action.

ISAAC GUERENDO FANTASY OUTLOOK

If Jordan Mason misses time due to his shoulder injury, Isaac Guerendo becomes an intriguing fantasy football stash with potential streamer upside.

Although a workhorse role wouldn’t be guaranteed, Guerendo’s elite athleticism, including his breakaway speed and ability to contribute as a pass-catcher, makes him a boom-or-bust streamer option with Mason out of the lineup. While his efficiency has been inconsistent, his big-play potential and the opportunity for increased touches in Shanahan’s offense boost his value, especially for fantasy managers with RB depth issues.

Next week’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs obviously presents a tough challenge. However, in the 49ers’ dynamic offense, even a limited role could lead to explosive plays. As long as Mason remains sidelined, Guerendo is worth stashing on rosters as a high-upside option with the potential to turn into a legitimate fantasy football asset in the coming weeks.

Keep tabs on The Wolf’s 2024 Rest of Season Rankings to see where Guerendo and the 49ers backfield shakes up from his point of view.

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