Injuries were the primary factor, but we’re talking about the reigning Offensive Player of the Year
Is Christian McCaffrey being undervalued in 2025? The short answer is yes. Are there valid concerns about the former OPOY returning to form? Also, yes. Is McCaffrey the third-best running back from the 2024 49ers? No.
Please make no mistake – the concerns about a 29-year-old running back with plenty of tread on his tires are valid. The running back position is tricky. There are plenty of examples of running backs with a ton of work on their resume that have fallen off a cliff. Trading for a running back will be met with plenty of pushback. However, the 49ers didn’t trade for a running back. The 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey.
The impact on the 49ers offense and Kyle Shanahan’s playcalling is impossible to ignore. Despite the starting quarterback, McCaffrey lifted the offense as a true game-changer upon his arrival in Santa Clara. Again, the 49ers didn’t trade for a running back. The 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey.
Regardless of anyone’s feelings about McCaffrey’s future as a 49er following his recovery from an Achilles injury and his season-ending injury in snowy Buffalo, the former Stanford and Carolina Panther is still the team’s best running back.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Jordan Mason was effective as the leadback for the 49ers. Other teams would be lucky to have a training camp superstar take over for a top running back in the league and have that return of value. Also, the 49ers invested a pick in Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo. Despite both talents in the running back room, McCaffrey is still the best in the room.
Saquon Barkley just finished a historic season in 2024, which was capped by a Super Bowl victory. I don’t think anyone can argue against Barkley at number one, nor am I arguing McCaffrey should be near the top of the list or ahead of Barkley.
Where Jones-Drew has the list wrong is much further down the list, and I will list the examples. Kareem Hunt joined back up with his old franchise following Isiah Pacheco’s injury but was far from effective. Sure, Hunt scored goal-line touchdowns, but 3.6 YPC is far from qualifying for the 27th-best running back in the NFL.
Let’s get to the real issues on this list. Jordan Mason sits at number 24 over Tyrone Tracy, Jr. of the New York Giants. Mason rushed for more yards on fewer attempts, but can anyone argue the Giants’ offensive line, scheme, quarterback situation, and play-caller are in any way better than the 49ers? The answer to all of those questions is no.
Let’s dig deeper. Landing at number 40 is Guerendo. I want to say once I saw Guerendo’s combined performance, it was almost a certainty that Shanahan wouldn’t let him slide past them.
Isaac Guerendo, YOU are a 49er pal.
— Jason Aponte (@JasonAponte2103) March 2, 2024
Guerendo’s speed, combined with his experience as a wide receiver, was a lock for Shanahan and his offense. The issues were his vision and availability (a common theme for the entire room). Still, Guerendo’s addition gave the 49ers a home run hitter on special teams and from the backfield. When Guerendo’s number was called, he was effective. None of what I said was untrue.
All of that being said, McCaffrey is still the best running back in the room. Seeing names like Antonio Gibson, Jaleel McLaughlin, Devin Singletary, Cam Akers, Ameer Abdullah, and Gus Edwards over McCaffrey is downright disrespectful.
Listen to Jones-Drew’s reasoning on McCaffrey’s number 50 (!) ranking out of 74.
The injury bug’s effect in San Francisco is exemplified by McCaffrey’s season. Making his debut in November after spending the early portion of the year on IR with an Achilles and calf injury, the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year never quite got going, grinding for four games (racking up 100 scrimmage yards in two of them) before a knee injury shut him down again. He still outproduced a lot of players on this list who played in far more games than he did. Here’s hoping we see a healthy CMC in 2025.
HE STILL OUTPRODUCED A LOT OF PLAYERS ON THIS LIST WHO PLAYED FAR MORE GAMES THAN HE DID.
Alright, man, I guess I get it. Remaining skeptical about McCaffrey’s impact following two leg injuries is fine. Let’s not get crazy. Christian McCaffrey is being disrespected heading into 2025.