We just handed down the cloudy forecast of the Carolina Panthers from NFL.com’s expert panel, as they are projected to miss out on the playoffs based on predictions from 29 analysts. Now, how about a sunny one?
The same group has tabbed Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey as 2021’s favorite to win the AP Offensive Player of the Year award. McCaffrey took in five votes to top the category, barely edging out the likes of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, both of which earned four votes.
Former NFL running back and current NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew was one of the five experts to back Carolina’s superstar runner, opining that McCaffrey can become the first player in league history to amass a second season of 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards.
“The last time CMC played a full season in 2019, he eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing and receiving,” Jones-Drew writes. “He may not account for 52.5 percent of offensive touches like he did in that season, but I still expect the dynamic running back to be prominently featured in Joe Brady’s offense. Another 1,000/1,000 campaign could be in play.”
We didn’t get to see too much of McCaffrey in Brady’s system last season, as he missed 13 games with a handful of injuries including a high-ankle sprain. He was quite productive in the three outings he did have, however, totaling 374 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns.
McCaffrey popped up on the panel’s slate a second time as well, finishing behind only Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott as the favorite to earn Comeback Player of the Year honors.
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