Should Christian McCaffrey be offered in Deshaun Watson deal?
By Dean Jones
How would the Carolina Panthers cope without McCaffrey?
Not having Christian McCaffrey in the backfield was strange enough last season when he was injured. But the thought of him playing for another franchise just seems unfathomable.
This was a player who is beloved by everyone associated with the Carolina Panthers. He has embraced the community spirit surrounding the organization and produced the sort of level on the field that has already made him one of the team’s greatest-ever players.
McCaffrey’s career stats from his four years in the league are just exceptional.
In just 51 games – 45 of which he has started – the Pro Bowler has gained 5,817 all-purpose yards and 45 touchdowns. This includes 3,145 rushing yards with a 4.6 yards-per-carry average, in addition to 2,672 yards through the air from 320 receptions.
Elite production whichever way one looks at it.
He is the focal point of Carolina’s offense, to put it mildly. McCaffrey has accumulated 1,002 combined touches during his time with the team and while this might have played a role in the recent injuries piling up, the All-Pro isn’t expected to carry so much of the burden once he makes a return to full health.
The Panthers have to at least try to acquire Deshaun Watson if the Houston Texans begin listening to offers. But adding McCaffrey to any package might just end up doing more harm than good with some first-round NFL Draft picks thrown in for good measure.