The NFL Combine starts Tuesday, and I’m not necessarily recommending that you watch it. In fact, it’s overrated in the realm of “sports entertainment.” While the Combine is great offseason “filler” for NFL Network – and all of us football-starved fans and media types – it realistically doesn’t tell us, at least with any kind of consistency, who truly pans out in the National Football League.
But I am telling you to pay attention to one player: Christian McCaffrey.
On Friday, college running backs, offensive linemen and special teamers will have their moment in Indy. While the instinct in Denver will be to keep an eye on those O-linemen – afterall, that’s the Broncos biggest problem, right? – the right place to look is squarely at Colorado’s own McCaffrey.
Oh sure, I’m from Denver, and I’m a homer when it comes to McCaffrey, and it’s easier to spout off about McCaffrey than 20 players I haven’t “watched tape on.” But there’s logic behind this suggestion: If McCaffrey is available when the Broncos are on the clock, they’d better take a long hard look.
Is McCaffrey the player who will be the difference between the Broncos getting back to the Super Bowl or not?
No. That player will be a quarterback or an offensive linemen (or several of them). But that doesn’t mean that McCaffrey can’t be a major difference maker. Especially in Denver.
If the Broncos don’t have a Super Bowl quarterback (and they currently don’t), they’re not going to the Super Bowl – period. This is practically a fact when it comes to the NFL, something I’ve written about before. Tony Romo is still out there, but that’s a another column for another time (or for any time really, as Romo will be a hot topic in Denver up until the moment he signs, wherever that might be).
If the Broncos don’t have an offensive line that can block for Romo – or maybe someone like McCaffrey – they’re not going to the Super Bowl. It was the Broncos’ biggest mess last season, and it must be fixed.
But here’s the truth: Neither one of those massive needs can, or will, be met through the draft. Those must be addressed in free agency, as college players who play quarterback or offensive line are anything but locks in the NFL (especially as rookies). Besides, it’s widely believed that this particular draft class is weak at both positions.
The good news is that John Elway has been damn good when it comes to finding key free agents. The Broncos defense is evidence of that. Emmanuel Sanders is evidence of that.
In the draft, however, he can’t boast the same track record. Particularly late in the first round to the third round, he’s been hit or miss. That’s not even necessarily a knock on Elway; plenty of GMs don’t bat 1.000 in that arena. Regarding those two positions, if you’re looking for reasons to feel “comfortable” with Elway’s draft history in those two key areas of need, you won’t find them in Paxton Lynch or Ty Sambrailo.
Here’s another truth: Outside of those two major needs, the Broncos don’t need much. They’re fantastic in the defensive secondary and pass rush. They’re adequate at linebacker and interior defensive line (they could be “better” at both, but realistically, they’re not bad at all). On offense, they’re set at No. 1 and 2 wideout, and could probably use a tight end (if you don’t care for any of their current options). Running back certainly has some options, but there’s not a clear standout at the moment – every team can use options and depth there.
There’s no lock at slot receiver and the return game could definitely use a solution.
At offensive and special teams positions of need, McCaffrey could provide an all-in-one solution. Most people believe McCaffrey is a great fit in New England.
Here’s my take: If someone is good enough for New England, he’s probably good enough for everyone else.
Mike McCoy is creative – we saw that with Tim Tebow and Petyon Manning in back-to-back seasons – and I’m positive he could get the most out of player with as many skills as McCaffrey has. McCoy could also put those skills to use in multiple places, depending on where they’re needed most in any particular game or situation.
The detractors will wonder if McCaffrey is big enough or fast enough. They’ll be leery about a young kid having to deal with the pressures of being back in his hometown.
Don’t worry about that. McCaffrey has exceeded the odds at every step of the way. He’s been “a McCaffrey” his entire life, in the hometown or on the sidelines, where his dad was a standout – if anyone is mature enough to handle it, it’s Christian McCaffrey.
When his combine numbers are posted, I’d be willing to bet that he’ll move up the draft board of a lot of teams.
Denver should be one of them.