There is no denying Christian McCaffrey's talent level. When he's on the field, he tilts things in the offense's favor by his mere presence as a dual threat and arguably the most complete running back in the NFL. But the San Francisco 49ers were hit in the face with an unfortunate reality last season.
McCaffrey's 2024 debut was delayed until November by an Achilles' issue that for a time seemed to grow more and more concerning. In his fourth game back in action, the snow game in Buffalo on Thanksgiving weekend, McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury in his right knee and missed the rest of the season.
McCaffrey will turn 29 in June, and his career workload (1,347 carries, 1,871 touches) is even more notable when considering he has missed substantial time in three of his eight seasons (a total of 14 games played in 2020, 2021 and 2024).
While the Deebo Samuel trade proved dead money is no object of they want to move on from someone, the 49ers are basically married to McCaffrey contractually for the next two seasons. The idea of going all-in on a rebuild and trading him this offseason has been put out there, but that is very unlikely to happen.
But the 49ers should start thinking about an heir apparent to McCaffrey. They traded one potential candidate this offseason (Jordan Mason), and it's at best unclear if anyone currently on the roster fits the bill.
Fortunately it's considered a very deep running back draft class this year, and the 49ers seem likely to pluck someone from it. Head coach Kyle Shanahan all but locked in the 49ers drafting a running back at the NFL Owner's Meetings last week.
"I think you always hope to address it every year," Shanahan said, via Grant Cohn of SI.com. "Of course, we're set with Christian McCaffrey, but every single year except two, we've gone through four running backs. Most teams do, so you always have to be prepared for that. But Christian is healthy. He's doing great. We have Isaac Guerendo in there working. Was pumped to get Patrick Taylor Jr. back. We'll see if we add one in the draft, but you'd like to add one every year."
49ers matched with potential Christian McCaffrey successor in 2025 NFL Draft
Eric Williams of FOX Sports recently played draft match maker for some incoming running backs, down to the exact pick for each team fit, and he matched someone with the 49ers on Day 3 of the proceedings later this month.
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Team: 49ers, fourth round, No. 138 overall
Running back room: Starter: Christian McCaffrey. Reserves: Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor, Israel Abanikanda
"The 49ers traded Jordan Mason and lost Elijah Mitchell to the Chiefs in free agency, so the hard-running Skattebo would have a chance to earn playing time as a back-end roster player and core special teamer. In this scenario, the California native would return to the Bay Area to learn the position under a player he admires in McCaffrey."
Skattebo started his college career at Sacramento State before transferring to Arizona State in 2023. He was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award (given to the most versatile player in the country) that first season in Tempe, as he rushed for 783 yards, topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage, punted the ball eight times (42.3 yards per punt) and had 15 pass attempts.
Skattebo then had a true breakout last season, as he finished with 1,711 rushing yards (second in FBS) and 21 touchdowns along with 45 receptions for 605 yards and three receiving scores. The Sun Devils lost to Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff, but Skattebo had a huge game on that big stage (30 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns; eight catches for 99 yards)
For what it's worth, the 49ers reportedly met with Skattebo at the NFL Combine.
Here some NFL player comps that are out there for Skattebo (5-foot-9, 219 pounds).
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com: Jaylen Warren
NFL Draft Buzz: Maurice Jones-Drew
Bleacher Report and NFL Network's Michael F. Florio: Kyren Williams
Yahoo! Fantasy Sports: James Conner
Austin Swaim, FanDuel: Mark Ingram, Warren, Jay Ajayi, Rex Burkhead
Kyle Brandt, NFL Network: Ingram, Marshawn Lynch, Frank Gore
Brandt also had a passionate defense of Skattebo in light of all the easy cliches that can be attached to him.
The easy question is if, as Williams prescribed in naming him a match for the 49ers, Skattebo lasts to the fourth round--early on Day 3. But he might be the ideal heir apparent to McCaffrey, and it wouldn't be surprising if he's high on San Francisco's draft board among running backs.
