Christian McCaffrey landed at No. 4 in ESPN's annual NFL position rankings. He came in behind Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs, and Philadelphia Eagles standout Saquon Barkley.
What happened?
The rankings are based on feedback from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, reflecting the league's top players entering the 2026 season.
Why it matters for Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey's fourth-place ranking marks a one-spot improvement from last year, when he was coming off an injury-plagued 2024 campaign. He led the NFL with a career-high 413 touches during the regular season, totaling 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns.
The 49ers leaned heavily on McCaffrey last season. He then added 37 more touches for 188 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns during the playoffs.
What comes next?
Despite the impressive production, McCaffrey averaged just 3.9 yards per carry—his lowest mark since 2020. One NFC executive believes McCaffrey can still be a difference-maker but suggested his days as the league's premier running back may be winding down.
He's declined some, the executive told Jeremy Fowler, but he's such an elite overall player with versatility who takes care of himself that he can be a top guy for at least one more year.
The 49ers ranked 29th in rushing yards before contact, with 2.04 yards. McCaffrey challenged Barkley for the No. 3 spot but ultimately received more votes outside the top five, leaving him just behind the Eagles star in the final rankings.
ESPN's running back ranking includes Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, James Cook III, De'Von Achane, Kenneth Walker III, and Breece Hall.
McCaffrey entered the 2024 rankings as the NFL's No. 1 running back. He will look to improve his ranking in the upcoming season.
The NFL season is set to begin soon, and McCaffrey will be a key player for the 49ers. His performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
The rankings are a testament to the competitive nature of the NFL, with many talented running backs vying for the top spots. McCaffrey will need to continue to work hard to stay ahead of the competition.
But for now, he remains one of the top running backs in the league, and his fans will be eager to see what he can do in the upcoming season.