Panthers’ running back Christian McCaffrey could be on the move this offseason. Which teams make the most sense in a trade for the talented running back?
The Carolina Panthers might be trading their best player. Christian McCaffrey has battled injuries the past two seasons, playing in just 10 games since the beginning of the 2020 season.
When on the field, McCaffrey is one of the best offensive players in the NFL. In 2019, he accumulated 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
He’s on the richest contract for a running back in NFL history, and while it seems the Panthers are not actively shopping the player, they apparently will entertain offers if given one they like.
So, which teams make the most sense to acquire Christian McCaffrey?
Ideally, the Panthers would probably prefer to trade him out of the NFC. He is one of the best players on the field at any given time and is making the Carolina Panthers better.
However, the shelf life for running backs in the NFL is rather short, so CMC battling injuries the past two seasons is concerning.
He will be just 26 this coming season, which is still young even by running back standards. Which teams would give up enough or should give up enough to acquire McCaffrey?
Landing spots for Christian McCaffrey
1. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins appear to be a team on the rise. After two straight winning seasons, going a combine 19-14, the Dolphins fired Brian Flores, to the shock of many across the NFL.
After making perhaps the worst move of the new league year so far, they made one of the best moves in hiring Mike McDaniel, formerly of the 49ers.
With a ton of cap space, a young quarterback, and a playoff-caliber roster, the Miami Dolphins are set to begin to become a regular playoff team.
They need some help within their offense, though. They need to rebuild their offensive line, add another pass catcher, and get better at running back.
Christian McCaffrey solves two of those issues, as he is a threat as a runner and pass-catcher.
The Dolphins have plenty of cap space to make this trade happen and have perhaps the direst need on offense among teams who should show interest in CMC.
Adding CMC to their offense would give Tua Tagovailoa a nice weapon to rely on and surely make his job easier.
Landing spots for Christian McCaffrey
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers seem to always get the most out of their running backs. They have battled injuries as a team the past few seasons, and their running back room has constantly been hit by the injury bug.
I understand that adding Christian McCaffrey to the mix probably doesn’t make sense given his injury history, but can you imagine for a second Kyle Shanahan being able to use CMC within his offense?
He’d honestly be like another Deebo Samuel on the field, giving the 49ers one of the most talented groups of offensive skill players in the NFL.
Frankly, I want to see this happen, especially with Trey Lance set to take over as the new starter in 2022 and beyond.
The 49ers never were able to get over the hump during the Jimmy Garoppolo era, so perhaps adding McCaffrey to their mix as the Trey Lance era begins would help them win a Super Bowl
The 49ers need to create some cap space, but other teams are in much worse situations. Creating cap space in the NFL seems like it’s a rather easy thing to do, so don’t rule it out.
Landing spots for Christian McCaffrey
3. Buffalo Bills
Will the Bills ever be able to get through the Kansas City Chiefs? They’ve to them in the playoffs the past two seasons and need to figure out a way to get over the hump.
Josh Allen has developed into one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL, so there is no reason why the Bills can’t break their Super Bowl curse and eventually win one.
Could Christian McCaffrey be the player to put them over the edge?
Well, one thing the Bills have struggled with the past few seasons is running the ball. They have not been able to get consistent production out of Zack Moss or Devin Singletary.
Trading for CMC gives the Bills another weapon for Josh Allen.
They could also use another receiving threat, as Emmanuel Sanders is old and a free agent, and they have given permission for Cole Beasley to seek a trade.
McCaffrey kills two birds with one stone. He gives the Bills a better rushing attack and is a threat in the passing game.
The Bills, outside of running back, hardly have any holes on their roster as it is. Trading for McCaffrey almost seems like a luxury move.