Finding that perfect first pick in your dynasty league start-up can be the difference between being an immediate contender and immediately rebuilding. People get so caught up in the age aspect of dynasty leagues that they will often overlook that perfect pick for a young player with a lot of potential. Sometimes though, it is about finding that player that will give you multiple years of top-tier play and that has a proven track record as a top option at their position. Christian McCaffrey is that player.
Getting Dynasty Brain’d
It is easy to get caught up in the age values when playing in a dynasty league. Managers will often prioritize the younger player just because of their age and will forget to account for which players give them the best chance to win now. Christian McCaffrey is one of those players who may get overlooked for someone who is younger despite his proven ability to be a top-three running back in multiple seasons. In fact, in the six seasons he has been in the league, McCaffrey has been an RB3 or better half of the time.
It should be mentioned that McCaffrey missed a good chunk of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to injury, but none of them were significant injuries and he came back to play the full season last year. And he came back in a big way, finishing as RB2 on the season. Over that season he averaged 21 points per game (PPG) in PPR leagues. So, even though he has had these injury concerns in the past, his ridiculous upside is still there. This upside is the fact that CMC has managed a dominant 22.1 PPG over the course of his career.
Do not draft scared; Draft to win.
Sure, there is a risk with drafting McCaffrey, but there is a risk with drafting any player. Even in the best of situations, any player can go down due to injury at any moment. Just because CMC had two seasons with some nagging injury issues should not mean you write him off. This league is all about what have you done for me lately, and as stated, last season was another impressive outing for the veteran running back.
Scoring Even in Transition
What is most impressive about last season is the fact that McCaffrey returned to his top-three RB status while making the transition to a new team midseason. Christian McCaffrey was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers between Weeks 6 and 7 last season. His first game with the team was reflective as much as he only scored 8.2 points playing against the Kansas City Chiefs. These are the kind of growing pains that you would expect from someone just coming to a team midseason.
The thing that might be the most telling of what we can expect in the future from CMC is what he did in the following week when he faced the Rams for the second time in as many weeks. In their first meeting, while still playing with the Panthers, McCaffrey went for a more than respectable 22.8 points in PPR. In their second meeting, while playing for the 49ers, he almost doubled his production when he blew up for a season-high 40.26 points.
It should also be noted that Christian played New Orleans and Arizona twice as well, but with lower numbers. However, each of those games came with him recording a much lower snap percentage while he was still getting acclimated to the new team.
A New Home
Now, with a full off-season of work in Shanahan’s offense, it feels like the sky is the limit for Christian McCaffrey. Shanahan has predominantly taken a running back by committee (RBBC) approach to the backfield. During his time as a head coach, the 49ers had running backs such as Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert, Matt Breida, and Carlos Hyde leading the way. None of them have the ability that CMC brings to the table.
With this RBBC, Shanahan’s 49ers have averaged approximately 2230 total yards from scrimmage with 15 touchdowns amongst their running backs. That isn’t too shabby, even given the fact that this number was made up of four or five running backs each season. McCaffrey puts up numbers like this on his own, though.
Averaging out CMC’s best three seasons gives you 2079 total yards from scrimmage with 15 touchdowns. Even in the limited amount of time that he was on the 49ers, he put up 746 yards rushing and another 464 yards receiving, with 10 total touchdowns. Christian dominates in both the rushing and receiving game, which adds a level of ability that Shanahan has never had.
It is easy to suspect that Shanahan will be utilizing McCaffrey at every level of the game throughout the season, especially given what they gave up to get him. The trade included 2023’s 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks, which is not a cheap bill to pay. It will be worth it in the long run as CMC will be a pivotal addition to their championship window, given that he is under contract for the next three years. This gives dynasty players the kind of assurance that they could hope to suspect from their star running back to have in a competitive window.
Target Acquired
Acquiring Christian McCaffrey is going to be a little more difficult than the typical player because of what he brings to the table, but it’s not impossible in dynasty, especially in startups. As long as you have a top-half pick, there’s a good chance that he will be there waiting for you because of the age aspect. If he is, don’t hesitate to pick him up. If you’re playing in a Superflex, you’ll have a chance at him even into the second round. I wouldn’t hesitate on making him my HeroRB if he is available, especially if I’m picking in the back half of the first round. I have him as my RB3 in dynasty and will happily take any dip in his ADP.
Trading for him will cost you but again, it should be doable. You are probably looking at a package deal of multiple first-round picks for him at a minimum. Another route you could go is by offering your top player at another position if you’re willing to separate with them, but I would probably work with trading picks. If you are trying to acquire CMC, you are trying to enter that three-year window now; if you are in that window, you don’t want to be giving up your top players at other positions. Don’t hesitate to give up a couple of picks if you think McCaffrey is the last piece of the puzzle to you winning your championship. Just make sure he is that last piece you need.
What about you? Are you in or out on McCaffrey? Leave a comment and tell me what you think about the veteran running back.
For more from Richard and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @gingerbe3rdman.
