Stapleton: McCaffrey ‘checks off so many boxes’ for Broncos
Mar 6, 2017, 11:59 PM | Updated: Mar 7, 2017, 8:44 am
As a pure running back, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey more than likely wouldn’t have been a first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft.
But with his abilities, as displayed in the pass-catching drill, 40-yard dash and three-cone drill during this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, McCaffrey could potentially fill multiple positions of need for teams — especially the Denver Broncos.
Associated Press NFL reporter Arnie Stapleton, on with 104.3 The Fan’s Sandy Clough on Monday, said the Broncos could not only select McCaffrey at No. 20 overall in the NFL Draft but they might be inclined to trade up for the multifaceted offensive weapon.
“He checks off more boxes for the Broncos than he does for any other team, maybe with the exception of the Patriots or the Packers,” Stapleton said.
Among the roster spots Denver needs to address in either free agency or the draft, Stapleton said, are kick and punt returner and slot receiver — both of which McCaffrey can fulfill right away.
“You have eight receivers and you can’t find a third one. And if you do find a third one, you go to the playoffs because Bennie Fowler catches that ball off of his facemask they’re in the playoffs,” Stapleton said.
Aside from those two positions, McCaffrey could give the Broncos a “one-two punch” in the backfield alongside C.J. Anderson.
“So, for this team, it makes all the sense in the world,” Stapleton said. “If you can fulfill four or five needs in one guy, why wouldn’t you take that guy?”
USA Today NFL reporter Lindsay Jones said last week that it would be “intriguing” to see how Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy could use McCaffrey, especially with his wide-ranging skill set.
“I think Mike McCoy can do some really awesome things with a player like Christian McCaffrey. He’s very creative and could find ways to use him,” Jones said.
But, ultimately, Jones said she doesn’t think drafting McCaffrey would be the “best allocation of the Broncos’ pick.”
“Would it be a luxury pick necessarily? Is he a guy that would change the offense enough to make them that much better? I don’t know,” Jones said.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
