San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey just received one of the biggest compliments you can get in the NFL
Christian McCaffrey has long been one of the best running backs in the league, and a recent article has him receiving the attention he deserves among an elite group of talents across the National Football League.
The San Francisco 49ers made one of the greatest trades in recent NFL history when they parted ways with four picks, including a second-rounder, in return for Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey.
All he’s gone on to do since joining the 49ers is record two first-team All-Pros, multiple Pro Bowls, and help the 49ers win NFC Championships. But the best part about McCaffrey’s game is that he’s not a one-trick pony, and he’s earning that recognition.
Christian McCaffrey stats since joining the 49ers
- 1,028 total touches.
- 5,707 yards from scrimmage.
- 4 total touchdowns.
Christian McCaffrey named one of the NFL’s most versatile players
“The 49ers struggled to run block last season, so Christian McCaffrey got his touches in the passing game with 102 receptions for 924 yards. San Francisco’s running backs ranked 24th in rushing yards before contact (1.14) — its second-worst finish since Kyle Shanahan was hired in 2017. McCaffrey may have lost a touch of long speed due to age and accumulating injuries, but his vision and elusiveness remain elite. He made the most out of runs when there were running lanes. McCaffrey finished with 1,202 rushing yards but his receiving ability kept the offense afloat.”
“His consistency as a receiver, when plays were designed for him or when he was the checkdown, kept the offense on schedule. McCaffrey totaled 48 catches that created first downs — by far the highest mark for a running back (Bijan Robinson was second with 34). McCaffrey’s ability to run routes you wouldn’t normally see from a running back makes him a unicorn. Robinson is younger, more explosive, and will likely take this spot from McCaffrey next season. But McCaffrey is one of the most dynamic receivers out of the backfield we’ll ever see, and this list rewards true versatility more than explosiveness.” – Ted Nguyen, The Athletic
Why McCaffrey was always going to be one of the league’s most versatile players
I’m sure just about everyone reading this knows, but for those who don’t, Christian is the son of former Pro Bowler and Denver Broncos Super Bowl champion wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, who molded Christian’s game at a young age.
It’s very obvious when watching him run routes that McCaffrey has some of the sweetest footwork, head fakes, and other nuances that we have seen at the running back position. He may be starting his age-30 season now, but I don’t expect to see a major drop-off anytime soon from one of the league’s best players.