Christian McCaffrey to 49ers

[usonian]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34842974/sources-panthers-trading-star-christian-mccaffrey-49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are sending second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-round pick in 2024 to the Carolina Panthers for star running back Christian McCaffrey, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The deal gives San Francisco the offensive weapon needed to compete for a Super Bowl. It also gives McCaffrey a chance to be on a winning team for the first time since his rookie season in 2017 when Carolina went 11-5 and return to the Bay Area where he starred in college at Stanford.

When healthy, McCaffrey is one of the best dual threats in the NFL. In 2019, he became only the third player in NFL history to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. His 670 yards from scrimmage -- a team-leading 393 yards rushing and team-leading 33 catches for 277 yards -- this season rank fourth in the NFL.

McCaffrey now joins a talented skill position group that also includes receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle. But the 49ers hope McCaffrey can help jumpstart an offense that has disappointed through the first six weeks.

Bay Area sports radio audience agrees.

[brush]

1. The Niners are lucky to get him. Will make it very hard...

for the Rams to win that division if they don't get OBJ back.

[calguy]

2. Whoa!!!

This is excellent news. If McCaffrey can stay healthy, this is the missing piece of the puzzle. Our running game hasn't had the personnel we had in our Super Bowl year and Jimmy G.is most effective behind a solid running game.

This move could take us back to the big game.

[unc70]

3. Panthers can't get much worse

Who am I kidding? Of course, they can still get worse.

[TeamProg]

4. "When healthy.." The Niners are my fav local team, but they paid a lot of

draft picks for him.

His father, Ed, was an amazing WR for the niners before Ed went to the Broncos, if I remember that right, and his QB brother was given a try out with the niners a few years ago.

[Auggie]

5. Local pundits we're speculating this wouldn't happen because ...

(From the link): As for the 2023 NFL draft, San Francisco has now dealt most of its top picks away. It has no first-round choice as it goes to the Dolphins as the final piece of the trade up to draft quarterback Trey Lance in 2021. 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.

Look for them to trade top talent after this season to get those picks back. As for McCaffery, this is a great addition. Can't keep running Deebo Samuels.

Now if everyone can just get and stay healthy. These artificial turfs they play on are wreaking havoc.