There’s one thing within the water in the case of the McCaffrey household and enjoying soccer. Christian McCaffrey is the most effective working again in soccer, a participant who turned pre-draft doubt into ludicrous manufacturing as an all-purpose working again — now his youthful brother Luke is coming into the NFL Draft to a lot much less fanfare, however stays a captivating mid-round decide.
Luke McCaffrey, who performed large receiver at Rice, is predicted to be a Day 3 decide within the 2024 NFL Draft. A former quarterback, McCaffrey made the change to large receiver in 2022 and has proven ludicrous development on the place over a brief time period. There may not be a wealth of movie to mission him to the following degree, however there are components to his recreation that are fascinating.
Work ethic and motor
Luke is a man who simply loves enjoying soccer. There’s no pretense or ego to his recreation. His change to receiver from quarterback was merely a possibility to get extra reps and see the sphere extra, and for essentially the most half he thrived.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for one trait to hold your hat on, it’s this: McCaffrey is aware of he’s anticipated to make an impression. Within the NFL this initiatives principally to fit receiver, the place he is usually a first rate measurement mismatch towards nickel defensive backs. McCaffrey is ready to pair his 6’2, 198-pound body with NFL-caliber physique positioning and palms, which makes up for his lack of burst. This isn’t a man who will burn anybody on a slant, however he excels at weaving by means of protection on prolonged performs and discover methods to get open.
This type of high-effort play interprets within the NFL. It’s silly to pronounce McCaffrey as the following Puka Nacua, however there are some comparable expertise right here that may’t be ignored.
Large leads to a brief interval
The primary 12 months McCaffrey made the change to WR he discovered success. He completed with 58 catches for 723 yards and 6 TDs, then constructed off that in his senior 12 months with 71 receptions for 993 yards and 13 TDs.
Maybe what makes him such an intriguing do-anything prospect is that he’s received somewhat little bit of Christian’s expertise in the case of working the ball. In two seasons Rice used McCaffrey as a runner 27 instances, which he completed with 265 dashing yards and a TD. There’s some capacity to make use of McCaffrey in gadget performs as nicely, which we’ve seen extra groups utilizing lately — most notably Deebo Samuel in San Francisco.
Contemplating McCaffrey remains to be a piece in progress as a receiver there are undoubtedly some constructing blocks right here if he can proceed to develop.
Nice measurables
One of many causes Christian McCaffrey was doubted coming into the 2017 NFL Draft was his smaller construct, however the Carolina Panthers noticed potential in his pace measurables paired along with his motor. Evaluate the 2 brothers and Luke initiatives very favorably to huge brother.
Clearly they play completely different positions, however the line is already blurred in the case of how McCaffrey is used — and the identical will probably be true of Luke. It’s simply that he has somewhat further measurement wanted to play WR.
My crew simply drafted Luke McCaffrey. Ought to I be excited?
It actually comes right down to what your expectations are. As a mid-round decide he’s received actually interesting potential — and it’s in all probability honest to have extra anticipation for Luke McCaffrey than your common fourth or fifth spherical decide.
It is a man who comes from a household full of soccer gamers. Luke has comfortable palms, nice instincts, and a willingness to do no matter is requested of him. It’s undoubtedly value getting somewhat excited for, as a result of with a while and nurturing he may simply develop right into a plus-level third or fourth receiver.