When Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey was selected eighth overall during the 2017 NFL Draft, no one really knew what to expect. Many analysts were unsure if Carolina would take a skill player in the top ten and after Leonard Fournette heard his name called for Jacksonville a few picks earlier, it came down to McCaffrey or potentially Florida State back Dalvin Cook, if one was going to be taken this early.
Ultimately McCaffrey was selected and although he was eased into his role, sharing time with long-time Panthers back Jonathan Stewart his rookie season, it was immediately apparent that he was special.