4 realistic goals for Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey in 2021
By Dean Jones
Christian McCaffrey gains 700 receiving yards
This is an incredibly modest total for Christian McCaffrey to target. Especially for a player who has already proven to be the NFL’s best dual-threat running back over his four-year career so far.
It’s easy to forget what McCaffrey is capable of in the passing game. He is a smooth route-runner out of the backfield with the ball skills to match, so this is going to be an incredible security blanket to call upon for signal-caller Sam Darnold.
The former USC star can relax safe in the knowledge that if a play isn’t developing as expected down the field, McCaffrey will always be available for a check-down more often than not.
McCaffrey is also capable of big yardage after the catch, which we’ve seen time and time again during his career.
There is so much talent in the passing game that will take some targets away such as D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, David Moore, and second-round pick Terrace Marshall Jr. Tight end Dan Arnold will also look to provide assistance both across the middle and in the red zone for Darnold to utilize.
If McCaffrey is able to achieve this realistic goal, it would put him in prime contention to go over 2,000 all-purpose yards once again.
This achievement might be diminished slightly with an extra game. But it would still be impressive and something that might result in the Panthers securing a winning record for the first time since McCaffrey’s rookie season in 2017.