The NFL has an abundance of talent at the tail back spot. Derrick Henry is the best power back, passing Marshawn Lynch. Nick Chubb is enjoying great success along with Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook and Saquon Barkley who are considered to be some of the best all-purpose running backs in the game.
It is debatable which one of them is the best, but when it comes to catching the football, Christian McCaffrey is elite. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Carolina Panthers McCaffrey is the best receiving back in the league and list his stats to back it up.
“Since 2018, he leads the NFL in yards after the catch (1,983) and has just a 2.6% career drop rate — the lowest among running backs with 100 targets since 2017.”
When a rash of injuries only allowed McCaffrey to play three games last year, the Panthers failed to find their footing on offense throughout the entire season. That led to the trading of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos and the Panthers were able to acquire the services of quarterback Sam Darnold from the Jets.
You can’t put the entire blame on McCaffrey’s injuries, but it’s clear that it had a lot to do with Bridgewater’s lack of success. McCaffrey’s return is one reason that the Panthers felt good about making the move for Darnold, who has never enjoyed these amounts of riches on the offensive side of the football throughout his time with the Jets.
McCaffrey proved two seasons ago that he’s the kind of back that you can build your franchise around for a decade. In 2019, he had 1,387 rushing yards along with 1,005 receiving and led the league with 2,392 yards from scrimmage.
McCaffrey should have many years of great football to go if he can remain healthy. Before he finishes his career, he may go down as the best receiving back ever to play the game. It’s difficult to determine another running back capable of his accomplishments.
