Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey didn’t miss a single game in his first three NFL seasons, but that changed in 2020. He was limited to only three games due to injury, making it a lost season for the 2019 first-team All-Pro. He’ll try to bounce back this season with a new quarterback and high expectations in the fantasy football world.
McCaffrey played the first two games of last season but suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2. He scored four touchdowns in those two games and totaled more than 200 yards from scrimmage, picking up right where he left off in 2019.
But he missed the following six games, returned for Week 9, and immediately suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
The Panthers are ushering in a new era with Sam Darnold at QB, and McCaffrey remains the focal point of the offense. He’ll try to top 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving for the second time, an incredibly difficult task that showcases his dual-threat ability.
Below, we look at Christian McCaffrey‘s 2021 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.
McCaffrey’s ADP: 1st overall
(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com)
McCaffrey currently has an ADP of 1.75 in redraft leagues, which is the best of not only every running back, but is the best of any player. The next closest is RB Dalvin Cook (Minnesota Vikings), whose ADP is 4.35.
McCaffrey is a popular pick to go first overall in drafts. His lowest selection is No. 8, so don’t expect him to fall out of Round 1 even if those at the top of the order pass on him early.
When he was healthy in 2019, McCaffrey led the NFL in touches, yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns, which obviously made him the No. 1 overall running back and the top-scoring player in fantasy overall. That’s the type of potential owners bet on when they select McCaffrey at the top of the draft.
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McCaffrey’s 2020 stats
Games played: 3
Rushing: 59 carries, 225 yards
Receiving: 19 targets, 17 receptions, 149 yards
Touchdowns: 6 (5 rushing)
Fumbles: 0
Where should you take McCaffrey in your fantasy football draft?
McCaffrey is a safe pick at No. 1 overall if you’re fortunate enough to draw the top spot in the draft. While owners were frustrated by his injuries and uncertainty on a weekly basis as a result of those issues, he’s still the best player to target first overall.
That’s especially true in PPR (point per reception) leagues where he’s going to put up huge numbers. In his three NFL seasons before 2020, he ranked 15th, 3rd and 1st among running backs in total points. He generated 116 points alone in full PPR leagues with his 116 receptions in 2019.
He probably won’t top 1,000 yards receiving and rushing again, but he has the potential to do so, which makes him a great target. With Darnold at quarterback, expect plenty of checkdowns and a run-focused offense under head coach Matt Rhule.
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