The 49ers have gone all-in.
As first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, San Francisco has acquired Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers.
Sources: The #Panthers are trading star RB Christian McCaffrey to the #49ers, as SF adds a major offensive weapon. pic.twitter.com/3hFKssU7cB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2022
San Francisco will send a second, third, and fourth round pick in the 2023 draft along with a fifth rounder in 2024 to the Panthers.
This is a deal that I suggested should happen the day after the 49ers beat Carolina.
Brian Burns would be cool, but getting Christian McCaffrey would be better for the #49ers
— Jack Hammer (@JackHammer_NFL) October 10, 2022
When the 49ers faced Carolina, it was clear McCaffrey was the best offensive player on the field.
Kyle Shanahan’s offense has struggled to run the ball this season. Opposing teams have figured out that with Jeff Wilson Jr. in the backfield the ball is going between the tackles and with Deebo Samuel in the backfield the ball is going to the edge.
Now with McCaffrey in the fold, Shanahan has a back who can do it all. The former Stanford standout can run between the tackles, around the edge and even beat you as a receiver.
The addition of McCaffrey will allow Kyle Shanahan to be very creative.
Having McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Kyle Juszczyk, and George Kittle on the field at the same time will cause defensive coordinators to lose a lot of sleep.
After not missing a game through his first three seasons, McCaffrey dealt with a series of injuries the last two seasons. However, he has started all six games to start the 2022 season.
McCaffrey has averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 8.4 yards per reception with three touchdowns on the year.
He is scheduled to travel to Santa Clara tomorrow, and initial reports indicate he will be suiting up on Sunday for San Francisco when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium.
I hope he can overtake Shanahan’s boy Coleman before the playoffs.
Put Mason to work. No more Coleman runs, please.
Have real misgivings about this trade. Just a lot to give up for a back that has been injured as often as McCaffrey. Panic? Desperation? Perhaps both as JL & KS realize the Niners could be facing yet another 3-5, injury-riddled start.
By the way, Sunday’s going to be quite the show in Santa Clara. Jim Harbaugh returns. McCaffrey starts. Maybe Kap re-appears as QB of the 2013 Super Bowl Niners. Plus Mahomes and the Chiefs. Wow!
I don’t think they gave up too much. They are still going to have 7 picks next year although they will all be 3rd round and later. The Niners have a great starting roster and don’t need a lot of high picks. Mostly they need to continually add depth. They just got a proven 1st round pick for a 2,3,4 and a 5.
Ok, let’s go there and win this divison ,get into the playoffs and bring home that SB trophy.
It will be good to have Deebo back at WR full time. I hope they cut or move Coleman to the vet PS instead of moving Mason to the PS
Very prescient of you, Jack!
It’s a great move. Major talent addition to the team, and the right scheme for CMac.
CMac has played 85% of the offensive snaps this season. It’s now up to Kyle to use himin ways the Panthers could not. As a receiver, I see him in the slot on third downs, esp. third and longs.
Future sold away for player beyond zenith. That’s not the trick to win super bowls.
Of course I love it….His dad was one of my favorite receivers, and young Christian has the same determination and fight as ‘Big’ Ed McCafferty ….extra yards here we come. Yes, the trade has potential drawbacks, but let’s allow Lynch to get his’ Trader Lynch’ hat on, and begin to recoup some of those draft choices….. Some of our RB’s have good value yet, and some other teams could help themselves in the trade market with them…….Kyle and John….get busy !!
With all due respect Jack, I whole heartedly dissagree! Brian Burns would have been a much bigger difference maker, while RB is the most devalued position on an NFL roster.
So what if Christian McCaffrey has averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 8.4 yards per reception with three touchdowns on the year?
Deebo Samuel averaged 6.2 yards per carry, and 18.2 yards per reception with 14 TD’s on the year (2021), which was light years ahead of anything McCaffrey has averaged, even when he used to be able to stay healthy, which he hasn’t been able to do since 2019 (he’s played in an average of 5.6 games per season, since 2019).
Elijah Mitchell averaged 4.7 yards per carry last year, and 7.2 yards per reception with 6 TD’s on the year (2021). This season, Jeff Wilson Jr. has averaged 4.9 yards per carry, and 8.8 yards per reception with 2 TD’s on the year (2022). Meanwhile, 2022 3rd round pick Ty Davis-Price and UFDA Jordan Mason are both healthy and looking for carries.
Deebo, Mitchell, and Wilson have all rushed for higher averages since the beginning of last season, than Christion McCaffery has this year. And like I said, last year Deebo’s numbers made McCaffrey’s numbers this year look like child’s play!
This feels like a desperate move by ShanaLynch, and I don’t get it. The problem isn’t the skill position talent, it’s the OL and the offensive scheme. And the NFL is no longer an individual RB driven league, and the league has caught up to Kyle, who has made the necessary counter adjustments. But really, all you need to do is ask yourself ….. when was the last time a RB was TRULY the difference between winning and losing a Super Bowl? It’s worth remembering that less than 10 years ago, Marshawn Lynch went BEAST MODE in the playoffs (2013). He rushed for over 300 yards, 5.0 YPC, 2 TD’s, with 63 yards receiving, 12.6 yards per catch. It wasn’t enough! The Seahawks still lost the Super Bowl. Sound familiar? Last season the Rams beat the Niners in the NFC Championship game, with the Rams’ RB’s Cam Akers & Sony Michel, averaging a meager 2.4 YPC, but it didn’t matter. Just like it didn’t matter when the Rams beat Joe Burrow and the Bengals two weeks later. The Bengals RB – Joe Mixon, was terrific in Super Bowl LVI, as he rushed for 72 yards on 15 carries (4.8 YPC), while the Rams forgettable trio of RB’s (Akers, Michel, Henderson) rushed for a combined 30 yards on 19 carries, a meager 1.9 YPC! In 2019 the 49ers average over 200 rushing yards per game in the postseason, and how did that end?
ShanaLynch are misguided in their recent investments. They have already committed at least 7 draft picks at the RB position alone, including three 3rd round picks, from 2021-2024. The problem is, that’s a tremendous amount of draft capitol invested in the most devalued skill position on an NFL roster.
Is the hapless and panicked Kyle Shanahan on the hot seat? Yes, let’s finally concede that he is and deserves to be. Facing a likely 3-5 start with yet another injury plagued team, he squanders the 2023 draft to bring in one more injury prone player who himself could be lost to injury quickly given Shanahan’s foolhardy and questionable play calling. Shanahan will not bring these 49ers to the promised land, folks. Jim Harbaugh, who will be back in Santa Clara Sunday, could and would. Shanahan needs to go. Period. Over and out.
I thought you were going to quit complaining about Shanahan and Lynch. THe only thing they really gave up was a 2nd round pick for a proven #1. They still have 7 picks from the 3 on.
You sure have a strange way of devaluing picks.
Everything depends on MM’s health and ability to appear in more games. Jax is right: it is a huge gamble for an undervalued position. Please fix OL and find a top center. I love Burns-the poor man’s Bosa.
Anupamaa, who parts with her ambitions and goals in a bid to raise her family, feels dejected when she fails to get any credit for her sacrifices and trials. She then decides to live on her own terms.
She opened an OnlyFans account?
Theoretically this is a great move but….
Injuries have been the biggest issue for the former Stanford star. He missed 23 of 33 games during the 2020 and 2021 seasons after being injury-free his first three NFL seasons.
It’s possible that we end up with a QB (Trey) and RB injured and low draft picks. The earliest selection the Niners will have in that draft is the third round.
The 49ers were slated to have three picks in that round because they own a pair of third-round compensatory picks. They no longer have one of those picks, or any picks in the first, second or fourth rounds.
Let’s hope for the best
My first reaction is the 49ers paid way too much for a RB that has missed 23 of the last 33 games due to injury for the Panthers. Then I think about the possibilities if he can stay healthy. Then I think Roger Craig couldn’t rush for 3.0 yards per carry behind this offensive line. Then I think Defenses will have to respect the RB out of the backfield on pass plays so this will entirely open up the offense for Deebo, Aiyuk, and Kittle. Then I think the 49ers are going to pay a heavy price in ’24 since they basically won’t have a ’23 draft class. Then I think the 49ers would be 5-1 if they had a healthy CMC all season.
Man, this is a real rollercoaster.
they will have 7 picks.
Felix on point bro
Not sure that is correct. I think it’s only 5 picks with the possibility of being 6 picks if Ryans is hired as a head coach – which does seem likely.
https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/2022/10/20/2023-nfl-draft-picks-49ers-christian-mccaffrey-trade/
Dr J , great name, wrong take. Jaxon, too many words. Anupama, what on Earth are you talking about ??
This trade ? Injuries, Yes…talent YES. We’ll see how this pans out. I like it a lot!
And besides Trent WIlliams who is supposed to block for CM???? No line, No win.
Banks has been good and McGlinchey is a good run blocker. If needed Brunkskill is also a solid run blocker at RG.
1. CMC injuries are not a concern. He has proven in his first 3 seasons that he is capable of a consistent workload. The last two years the Panthers were not a good team and CMC bore the brunt of opposing defenses. That wont be possible with the 49ers.
2. Shanahan has to use him wisely – 12 touches per game with a healthy mix of runs and catches. We have other backs who can pound the ball between the tackles.
3. I am also not concerned about the cost in draft picks. We will have comp picks for Demeco and possibly picks from an offseason Jimmy trade.
4. I am concerned about the 12 M cap hit next year. We still have to extend Bosa and potentially McGlinchey.
Last year we were apparently got out bid by the RAMS on the Stafford trade and it paid off for them when they won the SB. This time, we apparently out bid them on the CM trade. If we win the SB, everyone will view this trade as a success. If not, we are going to have a lot of angry fans and KS and JL will be in a hot seat.
I don’t think that anyone will be angry about this trade….O.K., so we already have Deebo, and Kittles….Who ya’ gonna’ double-team ? Aiyuk, Jenkins, ‘Juice’, Gray, Davis, Mason, Mitchell, and whoever is left at the end of the bench..? And Jaxson…CMC was targeted by everyone on the opponents D. Yeah, the line is forming at the ulcer counter for D Coordinators already….
Niners win SB following 2022 season.
Jax, raBust: that’s a bad look for this team.
Nice pickup. But I have my qualms about this move. Giving away 3 picks (2, 3, 4) next year could prove to be a disaster of CMc has to spend time on the mend due to his penchant for injury.
Sometimes GMs fall in love with the idea of what a player like McCaffrey can do, and ignore the past injury record. My sense is that we will see Mitchell a lot more than we think. And if that turns out to be true, it will completely nullify this move.
Of course, I would really like to be wrong on this.
David Lombardi
@LombardiHimself
Another big 49ers update: Charvarius Ward is at practice here on Friday
12:21 PM · Oct 21, 2022
·Twitter for iPhone
You can be on either side of this trade and be 100% correct. But, when u (try) to strip away the emotions and look at just the facts, you can make a compelling argument as to why the trade was made.
1st fact–the second that Trey Lance went out for the year, all of the planning and offensive scheme style and planned play calling and all of that had to change. Most of the plans for the offense that had been on the table since the final loss in the playoffs had to be scrapped. Now, with CMC. His job will be to improve our 3rd down conversions, which should improve our time of possession, which should improve our scoring, which should allow our defense to get more rest. 3-and-outs should now be the exception
2nd fact–the sheer volume of injuries has caught up to us this last week in Atlanta. At various times this year, we have fielded our #2 qb, #3-#4-#5 rb, #3 left tackle, #2 right tackle and #2 and #3 tight end. And that is just on the offensive side. On defense, at least 5 starters and that many more key backups have missed at least one games. Many have missed a lot more than just one game. The team has depth, no question. But playing this many backups at one time is not sustainable and is a recipe for disaster. By adding CMC, we have a true #1 back, a playmaker, and significantly increased our offensive depth. And will keep Debo at WR.
3rd fact–the good ones do make a significant difference. Now, the running back position is said to be de-valued in recent years, And Shanahan has definitely fed into that with his success with running backs by committee and late round picks and UFA. But when you have a healthy Johnathan Taylor or Derrick Henery or Dalvin Cook or Nick Chubb on your team, this kind of talent can move the needle. McCaffrey has that kind of talent. He can move the needle. CMC is a RB1. 15-18 carries and maybe 5-7 receptions? Wilson is fresher and more productive at maybe 8-11 carries and 2-3 receptions? This keeps us on track for about 30 rushes per game. So the defense will focus on CMC and Debo and Kittle? Leave Ayiuk or Jennings, or Juszczyk one-on-one? Well thank u very much!
4th fact–the NFC West is wide open for the taking. Actually, the whole NFC is wide open. Yes, the Eagles are 6-0. And yes, Dallas, the Giants and Minnesota all look pretty good. And yes, Rogers and Brady are still Rogers and Brady. But none of those teams really scares me. None of those teams have proved to be consistently dominant, and none of those teams have Allen or Mahomes. We improved. If Kyle calls it right, THIS offense can b scary!
5th fact–our QB cap number is relatively small for at least the next 3-5 years. Even if Trey Lance totally balls out next year his cap number is nowhere near the top of the league since he is still on rookie contract. If that happens and the Niners give him a new contract after 3 years (like Allen and Mahomes) the first couple years are still cap friendly. The more likely scenario is he plays good next year, they pick up 5th year option, and re-do contract after the 4th year. That leaves plenty of cap space for Bosa, Hufanga, re -work McCaffrey and whatever else we need.
6th fact–the travel schedule dramatically favors the 9ers. 11 games left to play. 8 at home. The 3 road games are LA, Seatle, and Las Vegas with none of them back-to-back. By NFL standards, that is nothing! Can we go 6-2 at home at worst and 2-1 on the road, at worst????? 11 wins and 6 loses? Can we do better than that? If we can get a few healthy players back, we can make a legit run. No real travel, winable road games, and basically home field until January. It sets up very nicely for us!!
If CMC and the rest can stay healthy, and we get back a few of the walking wounded, we will b better than anyone in the NFC West. We can b as good as anyone in the NFC. And we will c how we measure up to the AFC big boys this week!
Sort of an odd turn of events the last few years with Shanahan moving away from the free agent / last few rounds running back, and all the sudden spending 3rd round picks galore the last few drafts and then this latest trade. Maybe he figures spend big this year in case he gets fired at the end of this season.
Given that Jimmy G is still the Qback, I doubt if CMC is going to make that big a difference. I think Shanahan was bone headed to make Trey Lance be a pseudo running back.
Part of me wonders if we’d be better off making DeMeco Ryans the head coach next year and getting rid of Shanahan.