Christian McCaffrey, running back, Carolina Panthers
A superstar before he’s even played in one single NFL game? People probably balked at similar articles prior to Ezekiel Elliott dominating the league’s landscape as a rookie in 2016. We choose McCaffrey over fellow rookies Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook for one reason. He’s able to make an impact in three different areas of the game.
Even if the 202-pound running back were to struggle running between the tackles as a rookie, there are certainly other areas he will excel in. One of the most-athletic first-round running backs to enter the NFL in decades, this former Stanford standout can get out on the edge in a heartbeat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR2Z9AhbBVg
Now factor into the equation Cam Newton in Carolina’s backfield, and we can easily envision a scenario where McCaffrey breaks off a ton of huge runs in the read option. That’s only magnified with physical blockers on the outside in Devin Funchess and Kelvin Benjamin ready to knock helmets.
McCaffrey’s running style is similar to Barry Sanders in that he can find a hole and dart through it. He’s different in that Sanders had more of an ability to break tackles and McCaffrey can get to the second level at a quicker speed. Talk about being dynamic.
“Multidimensional runner with flex appeal for teams looking for a player who can carry the ball 20 times or catch it 10 depending on the game plan,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein said leading up the draft.” McCaffrey’s size, power and speed are just average, but he is able to create yardage for himself with his vision and elusiveness.”
When we factor in McCaffrey’s ability in both the kick return and punt return games, he will have an immediate impact on a Panthers team that needs this type of flexibility. We would not be shocked to see him put up 1,000-plus rushing yards and 700-plus receiving yards with as many as 70 receptions as a rookie. That’s the definition of superstardom.