2017 NFL Draft Profile: Running Back Christian McCaffrey

In this 2017 NFL Draft profile, we look at the strengths and weaknesses of running back Christian McCaffrey out of Stanford University.

McCaffrey is considered to be a top running back in the 2017 NFL Draft from what people are saying. McCaffrey has an NFL skill set that makes him ready for the league as he has a strong outlook for major production ahead. With a few other running backs on the board ahead of him, McCaffrey will likely be a name taken off quickly. The one thing about him is he will be able to do multiple things to help improve a team right off the bat.

For how tall McCaffrey is, he reminds many of running back Tiki Barber. He enters the draft at 6 foot tall and weights in at 190 pounds. For how well Barber ran the football, McCaffrey is the same but can also do it on punt returns. He is able to get himself open coming out of the backfield.

Production is the name of the game and that’s what McCaffrey brings to the table. An interesting statistic about him from his collegiate career is he totaled 3,864 all-purpose yards. McCaffrey also ranked second with 2,019 rushing yards.

STRENGTHS

He is too talented to be covered in the open field that would drive opponents crazy most of the time. McCaffrey is able to run certain routes coming out of the backfield that will help the passing game.

When he gets into open field, is very dangerous with his speed and agility while being very tough. He is a very reliable situational running back which many NFL teams are missing. He is also able to lineup in the slot effectively.

McCaffrey is a high effort blitz blocker with the hustle to get the work done until the whistle is blown.

WEAKNESSES

McCaffrey lacks the size of an every down back. McCaffrey has benefited from physical and downhill offensive linemen. He doesn’t have the correct power to break off tackles but can burst accelerate away from the cuts he makes. He has decent speed to bring it to the second level. He ducks his head too much when he is going to make contact which could shorten his career.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

MUST READ: Tight End Jake Butt 2017 NFL Draft Profile

DRAFT DAY PREDICTION

McCaffrey will likely be drafted in the 3rd round as a late rounder (47-63rd) pick in this year’s draft. McCaffrey seems like he has a ton of potential to be a very reliable player but will definitely need to fix many areas of his game in order to make it in the NFL. If he is brought into the right offensive scheme he should be capable of having a good career when all is said and done.

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