The NFL made waves Thursday with its latest Top 100 reveal, and Christian McCaffrey’s placement sparked plenty of debate.
Star Running Back Slips to No. 73 After Injury-Shortened Season
Once ranked No. 3 in the league, the San Francisco 49ers running back slid all the way to No. 73 heading into the 2025 season.
It’s a noticeable fall for one of the league’s most versatile weapons, but not entirely unexpected. McCaffrey was limited to just four games in 2024 due to an Achilles injury, managing only 202 rushing yards on 50 carries. That followed a monster 2023 campaign where he totaled 1,459 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, and added 564 receiving yards with seven scores through the air.
Despite missing most of last season, fans weren’t happy with how far he dropped.
“Is this a joke?” one user wrote. “Arguably the best RB in the league is ranked this low?”
Another chimed in with, “One year of injury made them forget.”
A third said: “Wow. So bad.”
It’s not the first time McCaffrey has faced doubts. His early years in Carolina were marked by electric performances followed by nagging injuries. Since joining San Francisco, he’s reminded everyone of what he can do when healthy, and in 2023, he played a central role in the team’s Super Bowl run.
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Even though he wasn’t able to make an impact in 2024, the league still recognizes his ability. His drop to No. 73 might feel steep, but for a player entering his ninth year with injury history, it’s not out of line from a leaguewide perspective.
The 49ers are gearing up for another title chase, and if McCaffrey returns to form, his ranking could be a short-lived talking point. But with younger running backs rising fast and availability always looming large, the league has clearly decided to pump the brakes on the McCaffrey hype, for now.
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