Panthers Trade RB Christian McCaffrey To 49ers For Multiple Picks

Carolina has seen the last of Christian McCaffrey’s star-crossed stay.

The star running back was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, the Panthers announced Thursday night. In return, Carolina will get picks in the second, third, and fourth rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft as well as a pick in the fifth round of the following year’s draft.

The Rams and Niners, neither of whom own a first-round pick in the upcoming draft, were the Panthers’ best suitors, according to NFL Network, which also reported that the Panthers were seeking to acquire a first-round pick. McCaffrey is now under contract with San Francisco through the 2025 season after the shocking trade sends him back to the Bay, where he attended Stanford University as a college player.

Since his 2019 All-Pro season, McCaffrey, 26, has been playing his best football in 2022. Through six games, he is averaging 4.6 yards per carrying and 111.6 yards per game from scrimmage. With 33 receptions, the all-purpose back led the Panthers and served as somewhat of a one-man offense for the struggling team.

The veteran player, who is in his sixth season, joins a 49ers squad that is currently tied atop the NFC West (3-3) but has struggled offensively since its January run to the NFC Championship Game.

In Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric, the Niners’ rushing attack has regressed, placing 26th. Jeff Wilson, the replacement starter, has contributed by averaging 4.9 yards per carrying and racking up 400 rushing yards. CMC is expected to increase the team’s ground game while also adding to its inconsistent passing attack.

As McCaffrey is reportedly expected to suit up for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m.), that could be on display right away. GMT on FOX and the FOX Sports App). The former Pro Bowler is due to fly to San Francisco on Friday and might be utilized in a limited capacity this weekend.

Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and McCaffrey give Shanahan and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a plethora of offensive options.

If CMC turns out to be the final piece of the championship puzzle, that will only become clear with time.

Reference: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/panthers-trade-rb-christian-mccaffrey-to-49ers-for-multiple-picks