Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 202 pounds
School: Stanford Cardinal
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds (tied for fourth among running backs)
Bench press: 10 reps
Vertical jump: 37.5 inches (tied for second among running backs)
Broad jump: 10 feet, 1 inch
Three-cone drill: 6.57 seconds (tied for second at 2017 Combine)
20-yard shuttle: 4.22 seconds (fourth among running backs)
Christian McCaffrey 2017 NFL Draft Profile
To start this profile out, there has to be some hard truth here. If Christian McCaffrey was of a different skin complexion, no one would be placing Dalvin Cook ahead of him on the draft board. It’s the truth of society and the eyes of the public. We would hear a lot more Barry Sanders and Marshall Faulk comparisons instead of Danny Woodhead and Reggie Bush. That’s why this profile will ignore skin tone and focus on the facts, stats, and film.
McCaffrey had one the greatest college careers of a running back. As a sophomore, he broke the single season all-purpose yardage record, set by Hall of Fame great, Barry Sanders, in 1988. McCaffrey broke that mark in his 13th game of the season, a 461 all-purpose yard performance in the PAC-12 championship against the rival USC Trojans. Sanders only played in 11 games to set his 3,250 yard number, but that doesn’t take away the fact that McCaffrey is the current record holder with 3,864 yards. The junior season was overshadowed because of how spectacular he was in his second year, but 1,603 rushing yards with a 6.3 yards per carry average along with a career high 16 total touchdowns is nothing to sniff at.
There isn’t a lot to dislike about McCaffrey. Measuring at 5’11” and just over 200 pounds, he’s not a large guy. His height is mostly ideal but he lacks the bulk to be a power back. It is clear that McCaffrey is a legit NFL player and will serve a positive role on his team. The only question is whether he can handle the full-time workload of a primary running back. The worst McCaffrey can be is a solid, change of pace running back.
McCaffrey’s strengths outweigh what he comes up short in by a large margin. His competitiveness is elite. Teammates, coaches, family, scouts and analysts have raved about his leadership and work ethic. On the field, no matter if he’s at practice or in the game, his effort is at 100 percent. The extra yards he fights for on every carry shows this attribute. Ball security hasn’t been an issue for him either. In 731 career carries and receptions in college, McCaffrey has only fumbled four times, and only once last year in 290 touches. That is an extremely positive sign that the workload doesn’t affect his fatigue. McCaffrey doesn’t have blazing speed, but he is damn fast in the open field. That second level speed after breaking free has been put on display throughout his career highlights.
Versatility isn’t an issue with him, as he can perform at a pro level as a receiver, returner and of course, runner. Lastly, what is so promising about him is his vision in the backfield and the open field. Rapid decisions are important on the NFL level because the game is faster than college. College players sometimes need time to adjust to the speed of the professional level, but McCaffrey is already there. He spots the holes well and slides through slim gaps using his gifted, agile hips to turn, cut and slither. Other than size, McCaffrey has every skill that a premier running back needs to succeed in the NFL.
Strengths
- Elite competitor, fights for extra yards, practices and plays hard;
- Elusiveness, agility, and cutting;
- Ball protection, only four fumbles from 731 carries and catches;
- Speed on the edge;
- Home run threat and nose for the end zone;
- Snappy decisions;
- Excellent vision in the backfield and open field;
- Versatility as a runner, returner and receiver;
- First step quickness;
- Second gear-speed.
Weaknesses
- Small size for a running back;
- Not a power back;
- Short yardage situations can be a concern;
- Lacks bulk compared to other backs;
- Heavy workload, 821 career returns, rushes and receptions, 748 last two seasons;
- Competent blocker but not a strength;
- Decision to sit out of bowl game is inconsistent with his personality.
NFL Comparison: Jamaal Charles
Teams With Need at Position: Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots
Projection: Mid-to late first round, potential top 10
Bottom Line
Christian McCaffrey is a member of an athletic family. His father, Ed McCaffrey, played football for Stanford and was one of John Elway’s favorite wide receivers. His older brother Max played football at Duke and has had some stints in the NFL. His younger brothers play football too, with Dylan being the number pro-style quarterback in his class. Luke, another quarterback, has offers from several schools including Michigan and UCLA. His uncle Billy played college basketball at Duke and his grandfather David Sime was an Olympic track star. The bottom line? McCaffrey is a complete athlete and a true NFL player.
At the same time, he’s more than just an athlete. His football skills are exceptional and he’s one of the most pro-ready prospects in the draft. There is no question that he will be a solid NFL player and that’s at his worst. His ceiling as a NFL star running back is likely, especially if he gets on a team with an offensive line that is already ready to maul defenses for him. Christian McCaffrey can do everything an NFL running back needs to do on the field, and more.
