2017 NFL Draft watch: Christian McCaffrey

Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Stanford defeated Iowa 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Stanford defeated Iowa 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There isn’t a lot of news going on in the NFL right now and instead of forcing some new content out there, I think it would be fun to look at some big names in the 2017 NFL Draft.

More from Titans Draft

There are a lot of different ways to look at the 2017 NFL Draft. You can look at a player for the Tennessee Titans and their two 1st round draft picks. You can look for a player who might be a concern in the division. You can look at a player who is a lock to go to a team projected to have a higher pick like the Cleveland Browns. You can even look at a player from a value standpoint to see what the Titans could get in a trade if he was still available at their pick.

So, no player is off limits so just sit back and enjoy reading up on the top players in the 2017 NFL Draft and plan your college television viewing schedule to accommodate the players you want to see most.

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  • Who?

    Christian McCaffrey is the player today. For those that don’t know he is a running back for Stanford, who is one of the three guys most likely to win the Heisman next year.

    What does he do well?

    A lot. He broke records at Stanford last year for all-purpose yards and his numbers are video game like. In 2015 he had over 2,000 yards rushing, nearly 650 yards receiving, over 1000 yards as a kick returner, and oddly two completed passes for two touchdowns.

    He is electrifying in space and he gives the impression of another Reggie Bush. They are nearly the same size too, both being deceptively tall and solid at around 6-foot and weighing 205. He runs through contact well, he can go between the tackles, take the ball outside, he can catch, he can set up defenders as a receiver, and he can even beat you as a gadget quarterback.

    Where does he need to improve?

    If you can call it a weakness, McCaffrey does not really ever show any real “moves”. In the tape I have seen, he has great sense of where to run to follow his blocks, but he doesn’t move like some of the best in the NFL.

    Guys like Le’Veon Bell and LeSean McCoy have all taken their game to a different level by having that go to step or spin to get loose in the open field.

    Does he fit with the Tennessee Titans?

    Absolutely. If the coaching staff likes Dexter McCluster (and they do) then they will love McCaffrey. Not only does he play RB/WR/KR like McCluster, but he can run between the tackles like they want McCluster to do.

    If the Tennessee Titans feel that Derrick Henry is ready to take over in 2017, he could be a perfect compliment if the running game looks good. He is the only justifiable RB for the Titans in the first round because he is every bit as much of a threat as a wide receiver.

    He is a stud that can dictate defenses and who can be a mismatch that never has to leave the field.

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    Potential selection range?

    While he should be RB1 on the Tennessee Titans board, Christian McCaffrey may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you need a between the tackles runner, guys like Leonard Fournette, Jalen Hurd and Dalvin Cook may be the higher priority.

    However, I don’t see a way where he falls out of the top-16 based on the players projected to be in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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