San Francisco 49ers trade for star running back Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco will send a slew of draft picks to Charlotte to seal a deal for the 26-year-old McCaffrey - second, third and fourth-rounders in 2023 and a fifth-rounder in 2024.

Who wins CMC trade?

That seems pretty steep compensation for a player who, while hugely talented, has been slowed by injuries in recent years. The value of running backs decreases quickly with wear and tear starting to impact production the further they get into their pro careers.

‘Run CMC’ was stellar in his first three seasons in the NFL after being drafted in Round 1 by the Panthers in 2017. He peaked in 2019 with an incredible year which brought him 2392 scrimmage yards - including more than 1000 both on the ground and as a receiver.

Since then though things have not been as good, and McCaffrey’s 2020 and 2021 seasons were both ruined by injury.

Against that backdrop, this appears to be a pretty good deal for Carolina, which just fired head coach Matt Rhule en route to a disastrous 1-5 start to the 2022 season.The Panthers are clearly now heading into full rebuild mode and acquiring draft capital for 2023 and beyond.

Fire sale in Carolina

Carolina already traded WR Robbie Anderson to the Arizona Cardinals a couple of days ago, while another wideout D.J. Moore is also being heavily linked with a move away from Charlotte.

The Panthers it appears are likely to select a quarterback high in the 2023 NFL Draft after failed experiments with the likes of Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold and now Baker Mayfield.

McCaffrey meanwhile is set to make his 49ers debut in a huge game vs Kansas City in Santa Clara on Sunday, and San Francisco goes into that game at 12/1 with Sky Bet to win Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona next February.