With the 2017 NFL Draft still more than a few weeks away, there are dozens of potential targets for the Detroit Lions with the 21st pick of the first-round, and their second-round pick, the 53rd-overall selection. Based on post-combine projections, I will be highlighting individual players whom the team could be interested in during the first couple of rounds. Today, we focus on a Stanford standout, Christian McCaffrey.
Draft Prospect: Christian McCaffrey – Stanford
Position: Running Back
Projected: Late-1st, Early-2nd
Size: 5-foot-11, 200 lbs
2016 Stats: 1,603 Rushing Yards, 310 Receiving yards, 16 Total TDs
Analysis: McCaffrey enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in college football history in 2015, surpassing 2,000 yards on the ground (2,019 rushing yards). Then in 2016, he wasn’t quite as dominant, but still really productive, with over 1,900 total yards. McCaffrey is a do-it-all runner, with outstanding burst (4.4, 40-yard dash time at the combine). He can catch the ball out of the backfield very well, with nearly 1,000 combined receiving yards over the past two seasons. Hits the hole with better vision than he gets credit for. Isn’t a thumper, though. Great elusiveness.
Much was made about his strength, after failing to do more than 10 bench reps of 225 lbs at the NFL scouting combine. I can’t personally say that is something all too concerning, despite what some of his contemporaries — such as FSU running back Dalvin Cook — did in comparison. One thing that is undeniable when you watch the college tape, McCaffrey is an NFL playmaker. The question becomes: Is he just a third-down, speedy scatback? Or can he be a 20+ carry, feature back for a team, worth a draft pick in the later half of the first-round?
Why he makes sense for Lions: The Lions have struggled to run the ball since Barry Sanders retired in 1999. Just one 1,000-yard rusher since (Reggie Bush barely did it in 2013), it’s been a while since Detroit has had someone rushing the ball that opposing teams feared. Free agency isn’t where teams usually go after running backs, mainly because of the premium put on youth at the position.
As I wrote a few weeks ago, I still have hope for Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, and Zach Zenner to get things done. But you never know what to expect with the amount of quality running backs in this year’s Draft. Between Fournette, Cook, McCaffrey, Mixon and many others, Detroit may decide that drafting a half back is the best value for this team. Detroit’s invested up front in a similar way to the NFC’s top-seeded Dallas Cowboys, Dallas as able to utilize rookie runner, Ezekiel Elliott. Detroit could do the same, especially after adding top-tier, 27-year-old right tackle, Rick Wagner, in free agency.
The Lions need a right guard, after losing four-year starter, Larry Warford, to the Saints. Yet, they still possess a talented core with their current group of young offensive linemen. First-rounder, Taylor Decker, and Graham Glasgow, a 3rd-rounder out of Michigan, are both entering their sophomore seasons and could potentially solidify the left side of the line. The Lions also are reportedly going after T.J. Lang, the former Packers, Pro-Bowl guard as of yesterday.
Throw in center Travis Swanson in the middle, with a dominant Rick Wagner on the right side, and Detroit now has a solid foundation up front for QB Matthew Stafford and any running back behind him. Yes, Zenner can run between the tackles. Yes, Abdullah is a dual-threat and Riddick is an elite receiving back. But, the Lions lack someone that can do it all. Could that player be Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey? Judge for yourself and check out the other Draft profiles below!
Check out other Lions Draft Profiles: LB- T.J. Watt, DE – Derek Barnett, DL- Malik McDowell and OT – Cam Robinson. Plus, Like SLR on Facebook and follow Matt on Twitter @MattUrben88.