Assessing McCaffrey’s market value ahead of contract talks
By Dean Jones
McCaffrey’s career so far
The Carolina Panthers used the eighth overall pick to take Christian McCaffrey in the 2017 NFL Draft. This appears to be a steal given his production during his first three years in the NFL.
The running back was on the field for 70 percent of the team’s offensive snaps during his rookie season. He displayed his ability to be a threat on every down on his way to 435 rushing yards, 651 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, and an incredible 80 receptions.
If other teams were hoping for some regression from McCaffrey in 2018, they were out of luck. The former Stamford product took another leap forward in his sophomore campaign, recording 1,098 rushing yards, 861 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns.
He played in 91 percent of the Panthers’ offensive snaps. But the player did record four fumbles in what was the only concerning element to his game in 2018.
McCaffrey was nothing short of sensational in 2019 and his elite production saw him in the conversation for Most Valuable Player. Given the Panthers’ 5-12 record, this was never going to transpire. But his 1,387 rushing yards, 1,005 receiving yards, 116 receptions, and 19 total touchdowns earned him a first-team All-Pro selection.
It was a historical campaign for the player, who seems to be just getting started.