2017 NFL Rookie Projections: Carolina Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey
By Zach Goodall
The Carolina Panthers selected running back Christian McCaffrey eighth-overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. What will he produce as a rookie (Part 8 of a 32-parts series).
A trip to the Super Bowl two years ago was followed by a lackluster 2016 season for the Carolina Panthers. The offense, specifically 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton, looked to have regressed from their threatening form. The team finished 19th in yards per game, averaging 343.7. In 15 games, Newton completed 52.9 percent of his passes for 3,509 yards and only 19 touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions.
The Panthers entered the 2017 offseason with several needs to address, including along the offensive line, running back, and defensive end.
In free agency, the Panthers signed offensive tackle Matt Kalil to a five year, $55 million contract, which puts a band-aid over their weak spot on the offensive line. They also brought back Julius Peppers after his six seasons away from the team in Chicago and Green Bay to help their pass rush.
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Then, with the eighth pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Panthers selected Christian McCaffrey, an immediate upgrade at running back and some spark to both the entire offense and in the return game.
Assuming last season was simply a post-Super Bowl defeat slump for Cam and Co., McCaffrey should be able to contribute immediately. With McCaffrey around, the Panthers won’t have to rely on Newton as a source of rushing yards. He accumulated 359 yards and five touchdowns on 90 rushes last year — all of which are career lows, but he was the team’s second leading rusher.
The Panthers need to let Newton focus more on throwing the ball rather than risking injury while running as he enters his seventh season. Now, that doesn’t mean Newton shouldn’t run at all, as his legs are a threat to opposing defenses. However, considering he has had concussion issues in the past, a revamped running game not revolving around the quarterback will do Newton, and the Panthers, big favor.
McCaffrey, the former Stanford Cardinal, finished his collegiate career with 3,922 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He also added 99 receptions for 1,206 yards and 10 touchdowns in the passing game, and 1479 yards and a touchdown on 56 kick returns, averaging 26.4 yards per return.
Next: NFL 2017: Each team's biggest question before training camp
McCaffrey looks to provide an immediate spark in three phases: The run game, the pass game, and the return game. Given that, I project him to rush for 950 yards and six touchdowns, add 400 yards and four touchdowns in the passing game, and two kick return touchdowns in his rookie season.