People around the NFL seem to already be forgetting about Christian McCaffrey after sliding down latest RB rankings
Christian McCaffrey has been considered the best running back in the NFL during numerous different times of his career. In fact, you only have to go back two years when that was the consensus thought around the league. In 2023 McCaffrey was named Offensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-Pro after leading the […]
Christian McCaffrey has been considered the best running back in the NFL during numerous different times of his career.
In fact, you only have to go back two years when that was the consensus thought around the league. In 2023 McCaffrey was named Offensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-Pro after leading the NFL in rushing yards.
Unfortunately, McCaffrey's 2024 season was basically washed away due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis early on and a PCL injury later in the season. Life moves fast in the NFL, and a player missing the majority of a year can quickly make them become forgotten.
That is reflected in ESPN's top 10 RB rankings for the 2025 season. After topping 2024's list, McCaffrey slid down to No. 5 this year. An anonymous NFL personnel executive stated that McCaffrey's injury history is holding him back.
"He's a great player, but he's always had durability issues, even in college. He's an elite trainer and takes great care of himself. He's just not a big body and will lose a step eventually."
However, an anonymous NFC scout still believes in McCaffrey.
"He's still the prototype — and the best player on the field at times."
Here is ESPN's overall analysis:
"Durability is the one thing holding McCaffrey back. He has missed 10 or more games in three of his past five NFL seasons. A return to 2023 form would put McCaffrey back in the MVP conversation. When he's healthy, he always produces. In fact, McCaffrey has four seasons with at least 1,800 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns. The only players with more are all Hall of Famers: Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk, Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton (five each). Since 2006, two players have at least 2,000 scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns in a season (plus playoffs): McCaffrey in 2023 and Tomlinson in 2006."
The injury concerns are fair, but skill-wise, McCaffrey still has an argument as the best RB in the league. In this writer's personal opinion, McCaffrey should still be above Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson. Staying healthy and bouncing back in 2025 could get McCaffrey back atop the rankings next year.
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