Christian McCaffrey will be a workhorse, not a bell cow in the NFL

2017 NFL Draft prospect Christian McCaffrey will be a workhorse running back in the NFL, not necessarily a bell cow. Here’s why he’ll be a focal point…

Christian McCaffrey may not be a bell cow in the NFL, but he doesn’t have to be. He will be a workhorse, and he will be one of the most impactful players from the class of 2017.

As rumors and opinions continue to swirl as to McCaffrey’s true value at the next level, I just can’t help but wonder what eye test this kid hasn’t passed at this point.

The 2015 Heisman Trophy runner up (perhaps the most impressive runner up in recent memory) didn’t put up as stellar of numbers in 2016 as he did in his banner season, but this is a guy whose game translates extremely well to the NFL today.

And, rightly so, he’s now getting some top 10 love…

While McCaffrey was once penciled in for either the Broncos or Patriots on the back half of round one, he’s now not even a lock to make it past the 15th overall selection.

What McCaffrey brings to the table is not a guy that’s going to slam the ball up the middle on every down, but he might be able to get you 25-35 touches a game, depending on the opponent.

I loved watching his analysis from Voch Lombardi, and how he broke down McCaffreys’ skillset:

One really great point that kind of ends the argument for me as far as what McCaffrey can or can’t do at the next level is the fact that while he doesn’t have elite upper body strength and power (as evidenced by his bench press at the Combine…), he has the ability to drive his legs and break through arm tackles with that extra effort.

We all know that McCaffrey is one of the most explosive playmakers in the draft, but what makes him special for the NFL game?

Change of direction.

McCaffrey can stop, cut, and accelerate on a dime. He has no trouble eluding defenders and he’s not wasting movement. He doesn’t dance around and waste movement, but reads plays and makes calculated cuts.

Not only is McCaffrey explosive when he gets off tackle, but he can be a guy who finds running lanes inside because of great vision with the football and an understanding of where the defense is moving and flowing with a play.

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McCaffrey has excellent speed, quickness, patience, vision, pass catching ability, and overall savvy as a football player. This is a special talent that can help your team in so many different phases of the game, it’s no wonder a team picking in the top 10 like Carolina, or a team like Philadelphia, Indianapolis, or Washington would want this kid.

He’s going to have a significant impact in the NFL, and he doesn’t have to be a bruiser like Marshawn Lynch, or a more traditional back. He’s a player capable of having a similar impact on an offense to the likes of LeSean McCoy and David Johnson, a back that knows how to find open running lanes and explode through them, and elude defenders with elite quickness and sweet feet.

There’s no doubt in my mind about Christian McCaffrey being a star at the next level, and there’s also no doubt in my mind he’s worthy of a top 10 selection. As Lombardi notes in the video above, this is a player that could touch the ball up to 35 times a game depending on which return units he plays.

You might argue against playing a first round pick on special teams, but why? There’s no reason to clip McCaffrey’s wings and prevent him from helping your team, at least not initially.

I can’t wait to see how an NFL team uses him at the next level, and how quickly his game translates.