2017 NFL Draft: Stanford Christian McCaffrey Scouting Report
By Jon Dove
Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey is a stud football player and someone with an extremely bright NFL future.
There aren’t many football players like Christian McCaffrey who can impact the game in so many different ways. He’s the true definition of a playmaker and someone who must be accounted for at all times.
McCaffrey’s primary position is running back where he shows great vision, balance and overall explosiveness. He’s a quick-twitch athlete who gets to full speed in a hurry, but he also that second gear needed to take it to the house.
His balance allows him to pick his way through traffic by quickly changing direction and adjusting his body to squeeze through tight holes. He is a very smart player who knows when to be patient or when to get north and south.
McCaffrey is the type of runner who is setting up his moves in advance which helps him create missed tackles. There are a ton of occasions where he makes a defender look silly in the open field.
His value is increased thanks to his skills as a receiver. He’s a natural pass catcher who plucks the ball away from his frame. McCaffrey also makes clean breaks and knows how to mask his routes. He really makes a killing when matched up one on one with a linebacker.
The NFL team that lands McCaffrey is essentially getting a top notch running back, receiver and return man. It’s easy to see a lot of Reggie Bush in his game based on his overall explosiveness and how he can impact the game in different ways.
Finding negatives with McCaffrey’s play is really tough. However, he could stand to add some bulk to his frame and get stronger.
I’d like to see him run with a little more power and fight his way through contact. There are times where he’s brought down average contact. Adding strength will also help his ability as a pass blocker. He’s more than willing to stick his nose in the action, but gives up ground.
It’s important to note that McCaffrey is just heading into his Junior season and is still physically developing. He’s not a thin-framed player, but it wouldn’t hurt to add some extra bulk so he can handle the grind that is an NFL season.
Overall, this is an offensive weapon who could be a dominant NFL player.
Current Draft Range: Top 10