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The respect for Christian McCaffrey across the NFL landscape remains undeniable.
McCaffrey finished fourth in ESPN's 2026 running back rankings following a survey of more than 70 league executives, coaches and scouts. While McCaffrey faced stiff competition, he kept a tight pace with Saquon Barkley for the third overall spot. It is a testament to his sustained excellence, even as some voters showed a bit more hesitation than usual, resulting in more votes landing outside of the top five than he traditionally receives.
The slight shift in voter sentiment likely stems from a grueling, high-volume campaign. In 2025, McCaffrey put the offense on his back, posting his third career season with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards. That milestone tied him for the fourth-most 2,000-yard seasons by a running back in NFL history. However, it came at a cost: it required a league-high 413 touches to get there.
That immense workload, combined with a tough environment upfront, impacted his efficiency. McCaffrey's 3.9 yards per carry last season marked his lowest full-season clip since his rookie year back in 2017. A major underlying factor was that the 49ers' offensive line struggled to open clean lanes early, ranking 29th in the NFL in rushing yards before contact at a meager 2.04 yards.
Despite the heavy miles and the drop in rushing average, decision-makers around the league know better than to count out CMC. His foundational traits, unmatched IQ, and legendary preparation give him a floor that almost no other back can touch.
"He's declined some — I think you will see more juice if he doesn't have to be the focal point of both the run and pass game," an NFC executive said. "But he's such an elite overall player with versatility who takes care of himself that he can be a top guy for at least one more year."
For head coach Kyle Shanahan and the Niners, the blueprint for 2026 is clear: lighten the load, protect him before contact, and let CMC do what he does best when it matters most.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: ESPN’s new RB rankings prove the league is still terrified of CMC
Continue reading...
McCaffrey finished fourth in ESPN's 2026 running back rankings following a survey of more than 70 league executives, coaches and scouts. While McCaffrey faced stiff competition, he kept a tight pace with Saquon Barkley for the third overall spot. It is a testament to his sustained excellence, even as some voters showed a bit more hesitation than usual, resulting in more votes landing outside of the top five than he traditionally receives.
The slight shift in voter sentiment likely stems from a grueling, high-volume campaign. In 2025, McCaffrey put the offense on his back, posting his third career season with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards. That milestone tied him for the fourth-most 2,000-yard seasons by a running back in NFL history. However, it came at a cost: it required a league-high 413 touches to get there.
That immense workload, combined with a tough environment upfront, impacted his efficiency. McCaffrey's 3.9 yards per carry last season marked his lowest full-season clip since his rookie year back in 2017. A major underlying factor was that the 49ers' offensive line struggled to open clean lanes early, ranking 29th in the NFL in rushing yards before contact at a meager 2.04 yards.
Despite the heavy miles and the drop in rushing average, decision-makers around the league know better than to count out CMC. His foundational traits, unmatched IQ, and legendary preparation give him a floor that almost no other back can touch.
"He's declined some — I think you will see more juice if he doesn't have to be the focal point of both the run and pass game," an NFC executive said. "But he's such an elite overall player with versatility who takes care of himself that he can be a top guy for at least one more year."
For head coach Kyle Shanahan and the Niners, the blueprint for 2026 is clear: lighten the load, protect him before contact, and let CMC do what he does best when it matters most.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: ESPN’s new RB rankings prove the league is still terrified of CMC
Continue reading...
