Chip Kelly wants more weapons to add to his San Francisco 49ers offense, and it appears the team has targeted one college player who might be able to help.
Chase Goodbread of NFL.com is reporting the 49ers will be sending a scout to Saturday’s Stanford vs. USC matchup in Palo Alto, where Heisman frontrunner Christian McCaffrey hopes to continue tearing up college football. Last season McCaffrey rushed for 2,019 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and hauled in 45 receptions for 645 yards, absolutely incredible numbers. The 6-foot, 200-pounder was a playmaking machine for Stanford and many felt like he was robbed of the Heisman trophy when Alabama’s Derrick Henry won the award.
Who does McCaffrey compare to in the NFL? People have lauded former Eagles Pro Bowler Brian Westbrook, current Atlanta running back Devonta Freeman and some have even said he truly does remind them of Rams legend Marshall Faulk. Projections for McCaffrey are nothing but positive. He’s generally the fastest player on the field, his shifty running style makes defenders miss, he has vision, body control and he’s not scared to run up the gut and blast through defensive lineman. It’s his hands that might help him most in today’s NFL. The short passing game has evolved into a substitute for rushing attacks.
Obviously, the 49ers have Carlos Hyde as their bell cow running back, and 28-year-old backup Shaun Draughn is aging like fine wine. But in today’s matchup-heavy NFL, McCaffrey could give linebackers and safeties huge problems out in space. Darren Sproles carved a role in Kelly’s offense in Philadelphia and was an effective piece to use in a variety of areas — like a swiss army knife. McCaffrey probably isn’t a 25 carry per game guy at the next level, but there will be room for him on an NFL roster. Mock drafts have the 20-year-old going anywhere from the middle of the first round to early in the second.
McCaffrey is viewed as a much better pro prospect than Toby Gerhart was a few seasons back as Stanford’s star running back. Here’s when you know a player is talented: the only weakness scouts have listed about McCaffrey is that he needs to improve his pass protection. The junior is also the son of former Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, so he’s got NFL bloodlines.
At the very least, GM Trent Baalke and the 49ers are doing their due diligence in checking out McCaffrey. Unless you went to Cal Berkley, it’s hard not to root for this kid.
