McCaffrey vs. Barkley: A Shift in Running Back Rankings
Not too long ago, Christian McCaffrey was viewed as the pinnacle of NFL running backs, even holding the record as the highest-paid player in league history back in 2020.
Since that time, McCaffrey has taken the crown from Saquon Barkley as the highest-paid running back. Interestingly, neither athlete is currently among the top 10 rushers this season. Barkley sits just outside at 11th, with 519 yards, while McCaffrey trails closely behind in 13th with 490 yards.
In an impressive performance last week, Barkley logged a season-high of 150 rushing yards for the Giants. Despite this, the Giants now rank 30th in run defense, conceding an average of 148.9 yards per game.
The question on many minds now is whether McCaffrey can gain similar traction when the 49ers clash with the same Giants defense this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen praised McCaffrey’s versatility, remarking, “He can do it all. He has the speed to run outside, the agility to make jump cuts, and great vision. It’s all about creating matchups, getting him the ball in space, and letting him shine. They have various ways to use him, and he’s effective in all of them.”
While McCaffrey excels as a pass catcher, leading all running backs with 56 receptions this season, his rushing average of 3.5 yards per attempt is the lowest among the top 35 rushers in the NFL. In contrast, Barkley averaged an eye-popping 10.7 yards during his game last week.
Bowen expressed concerns about his team’s tackling, admitting, “This was probably one of our worst tackling games, especially regarding gap control. It’s a bit messy back there, and good backs like McCaffrey exploit that.” He quipped, half-jokingly, about the challenges of communication in the field.
On another note, 49ers head coach Mike Shanahan has shown interest in drafting running back Cam Scatterbo on the second day of the NFL Draft, despite his injury that will keep him sidelined for the season after a surgery for a dislocated ankle. Shanahan noted, “We loved him. He was really impressive.”
In preparation for the Giants game, WR RayRay McLeod was promoted from the practice squad and made his debut after signing on October 23rd. He previously had a standout season with the Falcons in 2024, recording 62 receptions. Additionally, LB Zaire Barnes was activated from the practice squad, while CB Rico Payton and CB Art Green were placed on injured reserve.
The 49ers defense has struggled this season, with only nine sacks; only the Jaguars have fewer, with eight. Notably, sack leaders Bryce Huff and Nick Bosa will miss the game due to injuries, adding another layer of challenge for the team.
