Carolina Panthers: Ranking the top 5 players under 25

1. Christian McCaffrey – RB (age 24)

One really does run out of superlatives when it comes to the impact running back Christian McCaffrey has made during his time with the Carolina Panthers so far. There were plenty of raised eyebrows when the organization took him No. 8 overall in 2017. But this is already one of the shrewdest moves in draft history from the organization.

McCaffrey quickly emerged as the best dual-threat back in the league. And he took his game to historic heights in 2029. The player became only the third in history to record 1,000-yards rushing and receiving in the same season. And this is something that he is more than capable of achieving again during his career.

He is an electrifying player with the ball in his hands has a rare ability to make people miss in the tightest of windows. McCaffrey officially became the face of the franchise this offseason when he signed a four-year, $64 million extension that included a $21 million signing bonus and a little more than $38 million guaranteed. And this will lead to even more pressure on his shoulders going forward.

While it is unlikely that Joe Brady will make McCaffrey take more than 400 touches again next season. There is real hope he can maximize his production with better tools around him. And there is little doubt he is the best player under 25 currently on the roster.