The San Francisco 49ers' group of running backs received a significant boost in October following a trade for Christian McCaffrey. The former Carolina Panther appeared in 11 regular-season contests with his new team, contributing 1,210 total yards and 10 total touchdowns.
McCaffrey added 238 rushing yards and 156 receiving yards through San Francisco's three playoff games. Until the NFC Championship Game—a contest in which the 49ers lacked a quarterback healthy enough to throw a pass—the Niners were undefeated in games McCaffrey started.
Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 running back units in the NFL, and the 49ers' group took the top spot, ahead of the Atlanta Falcons and the Cleveland Browns.
"Christian McCaffrey was everything the 49ers could have hoped for," wrote McGuinness, "averaging 4.9 yards per carry and forcing 30 missed tackles on 199 rushing attempts in the regular season and playoffs after his midseason trade from the Carolina Panthers. His 91.9 PFF receiving grade in that span was the best in the entire NFL, too."
McCaffrey's receiving grade for the year was 92.5, besting all NFL players, including wide receiver Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins (92.5) and tight end Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs (91.3).
McGuinness added, "Then you have Elijah Mitchell as depth, who has produced 75.0-plus PFF rushing grades in each of the past two seasons when healthy."
San Francisco also has youngsters in Jordan Mason and Ty Davis-Price fighting for playing time. Teamed with McCaffrey and Mitchell, it's tough to find a more capable group in the NFL.
As for the rest of the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks came in at No. 12, Arizona Cardinals at No. 31, and the Los Angeles Rams at No. 32.
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