Christian McCaffrey is already in a very select group of running backs.

The 49ers star is one of only three backs in NFL history to have racked up 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.

McCaffrey joined 49er great Roger Craig (1985) and Marshall Faulk (1999) in achieving that feat when he did so for the Panthers back in 2019. Now, as the focal point of a star-studded 49ers offense, many believe he could produce a second such campaign in his first full year with San Francisco.

No player has recorded two seasons with 1,000 yards rushing and receiving, but McCaffrey's deputy at the running back position, Elijah Mitchell, would not be shocked to see the former eighth overall pick etch his name into the history books by becoming the first.

Asked if the prospect of another such season had been discussed in the running back room, Mitchell told a press conference: "He [McCaffrey] don’t really worry about the stats and stuff, he just goes out there and plays the game, whatever happens is going to fall where it needs to. We really don’t worry about that too much."

But Mitchell was unequivocal when asked if he felt McCaffrey could repeat his feat of 2019.

"It would not surprise me at all," added Mitchell.

Transforming the attack

McCaffrey the receiver transformed the San Francisco offense last season following his trade from the Panthers. The 49ers were second in dropback Expected Points Added per play between Week 8 (his first start) and Week 18. They were 13th between Weeks 1 and 7.

The Niners were second in dropback EPA per play on third down from Week 8 onwards and led the NFL in dropback Success Rate on third down during that time.

And it is McCaffrey's third-down abilities that have most stood out to Mitchell since he arrived from Carolina.

"His third down skills are crazy, the way he catches the ball, runs routes," added Mitchell. "His pass game, the way he is on third downs, his blitz protection, the way he just rocks people up is unbelievable for a back like that."

Mitchell, the 49ers' leading rusher in 2021, is hoping some of McCaffrey's receiving abilities rub off on him so he can improve his own influence in that area.

"I’m always asking him questions, he’s probably getting tired of me a little bit," Mitchell joked. "He’s an animal."

Too many weapons?

Part of the problem for any aspirations McCaffrey has of replicating his 2019 heroics is the number of mouths to feed in the 49er offense in both the passing game and the ground attack. Brandon Aiyuk went over 1,000 yards receiving last year while tight end George Kittle caught 11 touchdowns. Then there is Deebo Samuel, San Francisco's self-titled 'wide back' looking to rebound after a down year in 2022.

Mitchell making strides as a receiver would theoretically only eat further into McCaffrey's opportunities to put up big numbers in both areas.

But the 49ers aren't looking to put everything on McCaffrey in 2023. To the contrary, they are hoping to keep him as fresh as possible for what they hope will be another deep playoff run that ends in Las Vegas in February.

That desire may hinder McCaffrey's chance at a historic campaign. However, whether it's through McCaffrey putting the team on his back, or through the strain he puts on defenses helping San Francisco spread the ball around to its litany of weapons, the odds are his first full season with the 49ers will be a very special one.

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