Carolina Panthers Trade Christian McCaffrey To The 49ers
The Carolina Panthers trade offensive cornerstone Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers, a move that lands them four draft picks.
The first blockbuster of the NFL season is here. Amidst a potential fire sale for the Carolina Panthers, the San Francisco 49ers took advantage, trading for star running back Christian McCaffrey. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first on the news.
Stunner: Panthers are trading Pro-Bowl RB Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for draft picks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2022
McCaffrey returns to the Bay Area, where he attended Stanford. pic.twitter.com/R474r3eSkv
McCaffrey joins a set of superstars in San Francisco. A trio of McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle should strike fear in the hearts of every NFC opponent. McCaffrey’s receiving upside clears that of any other running back with the Niners, and sharing the backfield with a dual threat in Samuel creates a world of opportunities with Kyle Shanahan at the wheel.
The 49ers offered a lot in the deal, sending the Panthers three picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, a second, third, and a fourth. The deal also included a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft. It’s a lot of picks to send for a running back. But, as we know, Shanahan and general manager John Lynch like to invest in the running back position. From Joe Williams to Trey Sermon, Elijah Mitchell and Tyrion Davis-Price, the Niners like to invest in a position knowing that Shanahan sticks with a varied running game.
While the 49ers are all in, the Carolina Panthers get to figure out a rebuild, something that will happen with a new head coach and (potentially) a new general manager. It’s likely that the Panthers will have a top five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which will give them the quarterback they need to start the rebuild. Not to mention, two second-round picks and plenty of mid round selections. They can add to the cupboard of weapons from a great 2023 running back class along with the defense and offensive line.
It’ll take some time to figure out whether the 49ers overpaid for Christian McCaffrey to attack this Super Bowl window, or the Carolina Panthers didn’t get enough. But, for now, we get to see McCaffrey with a championship contender.