A year ago today, the Carolina Panthers traded away one of the best players in their franchise’s history. So, how does the deal look on its first anniversary?
Well, shipping off superstar Christian McCaffrey actually looked quite good for the Panthers at the time. While McCaffrey certainly is no ordinary running back, reeling in the following package for a player at the polarizing position was considered a big win:
- 2023 second-round pick
- 2023 third-round pick
- 2023 fourth-round pick
- 2024 fifth-round pick
Here’s what each part of that haul has since turned into:
- 2023 61st overall pick: Traded to Chicago for the rights to the first overall pick (quarterback Bryce Young)
- 2023 93rd overall pick: Traded to Pittsburgh for the rights to the 80th overall pick (linebacker DJ Johnson)
- 2023 132nd overall pick: Traded to Pittsburgh for the rights to the 80th overall pick (linebacker DJ Johnson)
- 2024 fifth-round pick: TBD
So, yes, they used the most valuable part of the trade as the least valuable part of the package for Young—which also included two first-rounders, a 2025 second and wideout DJ Moore. And, yes, they used the third- and fourth-round selections to move up 13 spots for Johnson—who was (and still is) considered a reach.
Anyway, here’s how our old pal Christian ranks in a few stats amongst all non-quarterbacks since arriving in San Francisco:
- Scrimmage yards: First (2,239)
- Touchdowns: First (22)
- Rushing yards: Second (1,537)
- Yards after contact: Second (801)
- Receptions: 21st, first amongst running backs (87)
- Receiving yards: 51st, first amongst running backs (702)
- Receiving yards after contact: ninth, first amongst running backs (169)
Additionally, the 49ers are 15-2 in regular-season games McCaffrey has played in and won a pair of playoff outings last year en route to the NFC title showdown.
As for the 0-6 Panthers, they’re also left with just over $18 million in dead cap on the year.
