4 options the Carolina Panthers have with Christian McCaffrey in 2022
By Dean Jones
Turning Christian McCaffrey into a slot receiver
Christian McCaffrey’s ability to catch out of the backfield is both renowned and feared. There aren’t many better and something that saw him become only the third player in NFL history to achieve 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in 2019.
Things haven’t continued in a similar fashion due to injury problems more than poor production. McCaffrey’s influence and numbers are still extremely high when on the field, but keeping him fit appears to be the biggest complication and unless the Carolina Panthers resolve this, things will only get worse with every punishing hit.
If the Panthers choose to take him out of the firing line to a certain extent, then using McCaffrey more as a slot receiver could be highly advantageous for the player and the organization.
McCaffrey’s ability to create separation quickly over slant or Texas routes is exemplary. And the Panthers haven’t had a consistent presence catching out of the slot this season after deciding to let Curtis Samuel leave in free agency for the Washington Football Team.
His catch success rate is 81.3 percent since joining the Panthers. No matter who is under center, this is only going to help them.
Whether that’s Cam Newton, Sam Darnold, or somebody else, any signal-caller looks competent with McCaffrey in the lineup. Switching him to a slot wideout might even prolong the player’s career along the way.