A running back has not won the NFL MVP award since Adrian Peterson back in 2012, but San Francisco 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey is certainly making a great case.
McCaffrey has been one of the most dominant players in the league this season, as evidenced by how he ranks No. 1 in seven different numbers for halfbacks in 2023.
Through 15 games, McCaffrey has racked up 1,395 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging a robust 5.4 yards per carry. In addition, he has hauled in 63 receptions for 537 yards and seven scores.
McCaffrey is in his first full campaign with the 49ers after coming over in a midseason trade with the Carolina Panthers last year. In 11 games with San Francisco last season, McCaffrey rushed for 746 yards and six touchdowns, logging 4.7 yards per attempt. He also caught 52 passes for 464 yards while reaching the end zone four times.
The 27-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Stanford, was selected by the Panthers with the eighth overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
He had a relatively uneventful rookie campaign, totaling 435 yards and a couple of touchdowns as a rusher. The following year, McCaffrey broke out, finishing with 1,098 yards and seven scores while posting a hefty five yards per tote. Additionally, he snared 107 balls for 867 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver.
Then, in 2019, McCaffrey had his best year up until 2023, racking up 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns while recording 4.8 yards per carry. On top of that, he rattled off 116 receptions for 1,005 yards and four scores.
Injuries then limited McCaffrey to just 10 games between 2020 and 2021.
Christian McCaffrey has made two trips to the Pro Bowl while also earning a First-Team All-Pro selection thus far in his career.
The Niners are 11-4 and will take on the Washington Commanders this Sunday. They will then battle the Los Angeles Rams to close out the regular season on Jan. 7.
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