(Photo: New York Post)
1. Christian McCaffrey: I’ve been doing this project since 2011 and each list is different. Looking back at the history of this project, six Quarterbacks have claimed the number one spot (Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes) and only two defensive players have been named the top player (Aaron Donald twice and J.J. Watt), Antonio Brown was named number one in 2018 and Adrian Peterson is the only Running Back ever to claim the top spot. Another Running Back is getting set to join AP. From his Stanford days to his stint with the Carolina Panthers and now with the San Francisco 49ers. When Christian McCaffrey made his debut four years ago in 2020, he was sitting at number four. Now, he’s back and is the guy! He’s my top-ranked player and top Running Back.
The things he does can’t be taught. Football is simply in his blood and this goes back to his father who won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos. It’s also the name as well (pun intended). Christian’s jump from Charlotte to Santa Clara and not missing a step was so impressive to me. Sometimes when a player gets traded, it takes them a while to adjust. That wasn’t the case for this guy here as he came in and fit in right away. I always said he was the one who took a lot of pressure off of Deebo Samuel because the 49ers would often use him in the backfield as a Running Back. Now, you insert Christian and it’s been nothing but smooth sailing. What makes him so great? It’s the vision, contact balance and when that ball is in his hands, anything is possible with him meaning he’s that much of a threat to score a touchdown. Christian’s speed with the ball in his hands is what makes him even more dangerous in the open field. I’ve always admired the trust he has in the guys in front of him and how decisive he is. Christian has all the faith in the world in his guys that a lane will open up and he will do the rest. The versatility is second to none with him as he impacts the game as a receiver just as much as he does as a Running Back. He’s a playmaker and a Swiss army knife that can do it all. Christian can run between the tackles, and bounce it outside, and in the passing game, he creates those mismatches against the Linebackers. Christian is another receiver for Brock Purdy and he runs some of the best routes I’ve seen from a Running Back. He’s truly a do-it-all back.
Injuries had been an issue for Christian during his time with the Carolina Panthers. However, when he’s healthy, you see the difference-maker he is. In the 49ers seven of their first eight games last season, Christian scored a touchdown. Every time you turned a 49ers game on, he was doing something with the ball. To elaborate more on his versatility, he can also throw the ball. Back in 2022, Christian became just the fourth player since the NFL merger in 1970 to rush for a touchdown, catch a touchdown pass, and throw a touchdown pass all in the same game. He is the closest thing I have seen to LaDainian Tomlinson. At one point during last year, he was considered an MVP candidate. Christian was named Offensive Player of the Year for his campaign in 2023.
