NFL Draft: Re-drafting every first-round pick from 2017 NFL Draft

NFL Draft: Re-drafting every first-round pick from 2017 NFL Draft: 6, RB Christian McCaffrey

Originally selected 8th overall (+2)

Whenever you can break a record held by Barry Sanders, you’re doing something right.

At the University of Stanford, running back Christian McCaffrey was the focal point of the offense and everyone knew it. Yet, there was nothing anyone could do about it for the most part. With 3,864 all-purpose yards in his Sophomore season, McCaffrey flew right by Barry Sanders who held the record. He put together a great Jr season as well and went off to the NFL.

So far so good, as McCaffrey has blown through NFL defenses the same way he did in college. In 2019, he led the field in all-purpose yards with 2,392. He’s also already been named a Pro Bowler and All-Pro during his young career.

Oh and let’s not forget, he was ranked a 99 in Madden. That has to count for something doesn’t it?

So with all of the superlative words to describe his play, how is McCaffrey the second back taken off the board? Well, that has to do with health. McCaffrey has always been a bit banged up in his career, but with the all-world back missing all but three games this past season due to a shoulder injury, concerns surrounding his ability to stay healthy have popped up. If he can put together a few injury-free seasons, we’ll have no choice but to move him up the board but for now, his placement seems apropos.