ESPN’s annual RB rankings keep Christian McCaffrey near the top, but some executives say he’s “declined some”

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is still being viewed as a top-tier option at his position, even as some NFL executives suggest his production ceiling has shifted with age and usage. In ESPN’s annual running backs ranking, part of a summer positional series built from conversations with coaches, executives, and scouts around the league, McCaffrey is listed among the very best backs and is placed at No. 4. The ranking matters because it reflects how decision-makers across the NFL evaluate value on the field, not simply public reputation.

In that same ESPN exercise, the discussion around McCaffrey includes the idea that his impact may be tied to the offensive spotlight. A quote attributed to an executive in the ranking coverage captures the core critique: “He’s declined some,” with a view that “you will see more juice” if he does not have to be the focal point of both the run and pass game. The point is less about dismissing his talent and more about whether the offense can create cleaner looks and reduce the grind that comes with being the offense’s primary engine.

That theme of role and efficiency connects to how the ranking coverage framed McCaffrey’s 2025 workload and output. According to the reporting, he recorded a third career season with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards, tying for fourth among NFL running backs in league history for that kind of mark. The same context credited a league-high 413 touches for reaching that total, emphasizing that the production was achieved through heavy involvement rather than a lighter, more sustainable diet.

The executive critique also aligns with efficiency data cited in the ranking recap. The reporting notes McCaffrey averaged 3.9 yards per carry, described as his lowest full-season clip since his rookie season in 2017. It also points to the 49ers’ rushing profile prior to contact, citing that San Francisco ranked 29th in yards before contact, at 2.04. In plain terms, the positional evaluation implies that even elite running backs can look different when the run game is forced to start behind the line and with fewer clean lanes.

There is a second layer to the “declined some” assessment, one that touches coaching and roster planning. The ranking coverage suggests that if the 49ers can build leads or game plans that allow McCaffrey to be used more selectively, the running game could benefit from having him fresher in the moments that matter most. It also raises the question of whether San Francisco will lean more on younger options to preserve McCaffrey’s effectiveness late in games and deep into the season, rather than making him the constant outlet for every phase of the offense.

What to watch next is how the 49ers structure McCaffrey’s involvement as the season gets closer. Because ESPN’s list is a snapshot of league belief, not a prediction of every carry, the practical test will come down to whether the team finds ways to keep his touch count from becoming the default answer, while still using his receiving and run-game versatility as a strategic weapon. If San Francisco can improve the “pre-contact” running environment and distribute more of the backfield load, the executive feedback embedded in this ranking could look more like a prescription than a warning. If not, the ranking could serve as an early reminder that the NFL’s evaluation of stars evolves with workload and context.