The Carolina Panthers have an unbelievable running back in their backfield in Christian McCaffrey. He missed the majority of games last season due to high ankle sprain, shoulder and quad injuries. Never the less, he was able to contribute 225 rush yards and 5 touchdowns.
McCaffrey is still considered a top three running back in the NFL. According to Maurice Jones-Drew at NFL.com, he has McCaffrey ranked at the number two spot for running back in the NFL behind the Tennessee Titans’ Derrick Henry. Here’s what Jones-Drew had to say about McCaffrey going into the upcoming season.
“Coming off a 2020 season that was derailed by high ankle, shoulder and quad injuries, McCaffrey should be ready to go this fall with a full offseason to get healthy and right. In Matt Rhule’s offense, the most dynamic weapon in football has a real chance to duplicate his 1,000/1,000 campaign of 2019. I can’t wait to see McCaffrey back on the field.”
Due to what the Panthers expect and need McCaffrey to do, there are major concerns about his workload and injury history. He is still young, just turning 25 years of age and most likely will have several more years of good football to play. The Panthers better hope to get the bang for their bucks because McCaffrey is under contract for five more years.
While the Panthers have loved what McCaffrey has been doing, there is no denying the electric numbers that Derrick Henry has put up for the Titans. Henry is the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, collecting 2,027 rushing yards and scoring 17 touchdowns.
After Henry and McCaffrey, rounding out the top five running backs according to Jones-Drew is New Orleans Saints Alvin Kamara with 932 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, Minnesota Vikings Delvin Cook with 1,557 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns and last but not least, Cleveland Browns Nick Chubb with 1,067 rush yards and 12 touchdowns.
After having the entire offseason to rehab from his injuries, McCaffrey should be ready to start the season with coach Matt Rhule and the Panthers.
