4 bold Panthers predictions for second half of the 2020 season
By Dean Jones
Christian McCaffrey will get 1,500 all-purpose yards
Christian McCaffrey could make his long-awaited return to the lineup in the Carolina Panthers’ difficult trip to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. There is just no telling what his presence will do to morale within the group and although he might not shoulder the load as he has in the past, it is sure to come with outstanding production nonetheless.
McCaffrey is the best dual-threat running back in the NFL when firing on all cylinders. His targets may have changed somewhat after missing all-but 1.5 games with a high ankle sprain suffered against the Buccanneers, but there is still enough time for the All-Pro to put up some impressive numbers.
The former first-round pick managed to attain 223 all-purpose yards before injury struck for the first time in his professional career. Much will depend on just how healthy McCaffrey is during his transition back into competitive action, but getting 1,500 all-purpose yards on the season is not out of the realms of possibility.
McCaffrey would need to average 159.6 yards-per-game to achieve this feat. Few would argue he is not capable of this given his elite skill set. But it is going to take a monumental effort from a player who became the face of the franchise this offseason after signing a four-year, $64 million contract extension with a $21 million signing bonus and $38 million guaranteed.