Lammey: Nobody better for Broncos to draft at No. 20 than McCaffrey
Jan 17, 2017, 12:00 AM | Updated: 7:57 am
It would be a reunion of sorts should the Denver Broncos select Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey in the first round of the NFL draft.
McCaffrey grew up in the Denver area, went to high school at Valor Christian in Highlands Ranch, and is the son of former Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey.
It would make a nice story should Denver select the hometown boy with its first pick, but 104.3 The Fan Football Insider Cecil Lammey said Monday that it also makes football sense.
Lammey told “C.J. and Stokley” that as late as a month ago McCaffrey, the 2015 Heisman Trophy runner-up as a sophomore, was a late first round or early second round prospect by his estimation.
But as of late, the all-purpose back steadily climbed his way up the draft board to as high as No. 20, where the Broncos sit with their pick in the first round in 2017.
“If John Elway truly a best play available GM, which he is, there’s nobody better at No. 20. There’s nobody based on this draft,” Lammey said. “I don’t care about the team needs. You’re not taking a tackle there. If the Broncos take a tackle at No. 20, they’re reaching. Elway isn’t going to do that. And he’s going to fill those needs through free agency.”
Denver has needs other than running back, like offensive and defensive line, but McCaffrey’s talent is such that passing on him would be a mistake, according to Lammey, especially with the recent trend of utilizing quick, small backs or receivers like Tyreek Hill, Dion Lewis, or Danny Woodhead.
“This is already a great running back class, but McCaffery has cemented himself as a first rounder,” Lammey said. “not only because he’s good but because teams are saying, ‘Maybe he’s not a 25-carry guy. But I’ll tell you what, if you give him 12 touches, high-value touches, McCaffrey’s going to make plays.’
“I’d love to see it in Denver.”
In his Heisman run in 2015, McCaffrey ran for 2,019 yards and 8 touchdowns while also catching 45 passes for 645 yards and 5 touchdowns. He had 2,664 yards from scrimmage while also boasting 1,200 combined kick and punt return yards.
Last season, a down year comparatively, McCaffrey rushed for 1,603 yards and 13 touchdowns with 38 catches and 291 yards through the air.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
