In 2018, his second year in the NFL, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey had a historically significant season. On the ground, the Stanford product recorded 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns on an average of 5.0 yards per carry.
His ability to produce as a receiver enabled him to break records. He broke the single-season NFL record for most catches in a season by a running back with 107 and added 857 yards and six touchdowns to boot. In total, he received a gaudy 326 snaps.
Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner wants to get smarter with how he uses Christian McCaffrey, as he told ESPN's David Newton and others at training camp;
I'm concerned about Christian's [McCaffrey] touches. And, he had about 320. The carries take more out of you than completions, he had about 210 carries. I've had six different guys that have had over 400 touches. So, he's not even close to some of the guys I've been with. Now, he was on the field 90% of the time — that's documented. A lot of the times he's running the swing. We need to get someone else on the field, but we aren't going to minimize his carries or touches.
Norv Turner notes that Christian McCaffrey won't be pulled off the field or on a “touch watch.” He's too talented to do so and is the lead back. Expect to see him used considerably as a receiver — it's what he does best. However, 2019 may show that McCaffrey will split a little more time with other backs carrying the ball. That other back could be Cameron Artis-Payne, fifth-round pick Jordan Scarlett, or undrafted rookie signee Elijah Holyfield.
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