Perhaps the 49ers could draft the successor to Christian McCaffrey.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – Texas v Arizona State | Bruce Yeung/GettyImages
The San Francisco 49ers still have one of the best running backs in the game when he is healthy in Christian McCaffrey. However, after last year’s injury-riddled season, the Niners should start thinking about a potential successor.
The 49ers have been linked to such in the form of Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo. According to the rumor, the Niners met with Skattebo at the NFL Scouting Combine last week.
Now, it is important to stipulate that even if the 49ers did meet with the Sun Devil, that does not mean they are going to draft him. However, it could suggest that San Francisco is at least thinking about life after McCaffrey.
It may seem premature to think about a replacement for McCaffrey just one year removed from the star running back being the AP Offensive Player of the Year helping lead San Francisco to a Super Bowl appearance. But last season, McCaffrey was injured repeatedly and only played in four games for San Francisco.
His father, Ed McCaffrey, recently gave a positive update on Christian’s health, which is good to hear. But with the 28-year-old Stanford product not getting any younger, injuries are going to be a major concern going forward, especially since they have dogged him for most of his pro career.
That is why Skattebo would be an interesting running back for San Francisco to target in the NFL Draft.
The Sacramento native had a phenomenal senior year with ASU, rushing for 1,711 yards on 293 carries with 21 rushing touchdowns. He also had a monster game against Texas in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl in which he rushed for 143 yards with two rushing touchdowns as well as 99 receiving yards.
That earned Skattebo some praise from McCaffrey via social media after his big game. Perhaps the two could be teammates not too long from now.
Despite his great numbers in his senior year and Peach Bowl performance, Skattebo is projected to be a mid-round draft selection. That means the 49ers could snag him in one of the middle rounds while still also addressing more pressing needs earlier in the draft. Perhaps they could even use the fifth-round pick they received from Washington in exchange for wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
With both Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason potentially departing in free agency, the 49ers’ running back room could be limited to McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo.
Adding Skattebo to the mix could be a key insurance policy after the 49ers had to use countless running backs just to make it through last season.
Running back may not be the highest priority going into the NFL Draft, but if Skattebo is available in one of those mid-to-late rounds, then the Niners should jump at the chance to select him and pad their running back corps.
