There’s one thing within the water with regards to the McCaffrey household and enjoying soccer. Christian McCaffrey is one of the best operating again in soccer, a participant who turned pre-draft doubt into ludicrous manufacturing as an all-purpose operating again — now his youthful brother Luke is becoming a member of the NFL to a lot much less fanfare, however stays an enchanting mid-round decide.
Luke McCaffrey, who performed broad receiver at Rice, was anticipated to be a Day 3 decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, however was chosen on Day 2 with the final decide of the third spherical by the Washington Commanders. A former quarterback, McCaffrey made the change to broad receiver in 2022 and has proven ludicrous progress on the place over a brief time period. There won’t be a wealth of movie to mission him to the following stage, 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 sector extra, and for essentially the most half he thrived.
When you’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 tasks principally to fit receiver, the place he is usually a first rate dimension mismatch towards nickel defensive backs. McCaffrey is ready to pair his 6’2, 198-pound body with NFL-caliber physique positioning and fingers, 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 abilities right here that may’t be ignored.
Large ends in 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 obtained slightly little bit of Christian’s abilities with regards to operating the ball. In two seasons Rice used McCaffrey as a runner 27 occasions, which he completed with 265 dashing yards and a TD. There’s some means to make use of McCaffrey in gadget performs as nicely, which we’ve seen extra groups utilizing in recent times — most notably Deebo Samuel in San Francisco.
Contemplating McCaffrey continues to be a piece in progress as a receiver there are positively some constructing blocks right here if he can proceed to develop.
Nice measurables
One of many causes Christian McCaffrey was doubted getting into the 2017 NFL Draft was his smaller construct, however the Carolina Panthers noticed potential in his velocity measurables paired along with his motor. Evaluate the 2 brothers and Luke tasks very favorably to huge brother.
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Clearly they play totally different positions, however the line is already blurred with regards to how McCaffrey is used — and the identical will likely be true of Luke. It’s simply that he has slightly additional dimension wanted to play WR.
My group 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 obtained actually interesting potential — and it’s most likely 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 mushy fingers, nice instincts, and a willingness to do no matter is requested of him. It’s positively value getting slightly excited for, as a result of with a while and nurturing he might simply develop right into a plus-level third or fourth receiver.
