McCaffrey's versatility could make him draft's best offensive player

At Stanford's pro day Thursday, running back prospect Christian McCaffrey reminded teams in attendance what he provides for an offense: Everything.

The 20-year-old son of three-time Super Bowl champion Ed McCaffrey partook in receiver and kick-returner drills in Palo Alto after performing as a running back during the 2017 scouting combine, where he was a top performer in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, 3-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and 60-yard shuttle.

This is nothing new. McCaffrey amassed 1,206 receiving yards on 99 catches with 10 touchdowns, along with 1,859 total return yards, in his three years at Stanford - not to mention his 3,922 rushing yards and 21 scores on the ground.

In 2015, he set the NCAA record for all-purpose yards with 3,864. He was his team's leading rusher and receiver, helping it reach a 12-2 record and the No. 3 ranking, and was named the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

In short, McCaffrey was a really, really good college player.

Now, it's time for him to be a really, really good pro, and he may be the best offensive weapon in this year's draft.

McCaffrey's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield or line up as a slot receiver creates matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. His outstanding balance and vision, coupled with NFL-quality speed, make him extremely difficult to take down in the open field. Though he stands just 5-foot-11, 202 pounds, the versatile runner has the ability to bounce off tacklers whenever he has the ball in his hands.

That type of all-around play-making ability will allow McCaffrey to be used as a running back who can carry the ball or catch it, line up out wide as a receiver, and stand back deep as a returner. This can cause fits for defensive coordinators trying to match up with offensive personnel, especially if he lands with a team with versatile tight ends.

If the Stanford product plays with tight ends that can line up as traditional blockers as well as split-out receiving threats (like the New England Patriots), that team could be just as likely to run a five-wide formation as they would be to line up in a power-running set.

In today's NFL, slot receivers are as valuable as any offensive player who isn't a quarterback, whether it be as a check-down option, or a way to create ideal matchups or simply to create space. McCaffrey can fill multiple needs and roles in an offense looking for a presence in the slot, as well as out of the backfield.

Part of what makes him such an intriguing prospect in this year's crop of college talent is that, offensively, there isn't much elite skill to choose from.

At the quarterback position, none of the draft's top-rated passers has done enough to get a consensus optimistic review. Deshaun Watson has great intangibles and won a lot of games, but there are questions about his mechanics and his translation to the pro game. Mitchell Trubisky is closer to a pro-style passer, but only started 13 games in college. DeShone Kizer has the ideal body, but his accuracy and inability to win games at Notre Dame are red flags.

The offensive line products have been slipping in pro-readiness for years as more college teams adopt the spread system, and while there are a few good receivers set to go off the board in the first round, none are expected to be bona fide No. 1 pass-catchers from Day 1.

McCaffrey's running back group has been the one turning heads, as he, Dalvin Cook, and Leonard Fournette are all expected to go in the first round. Cook's subpar combine performance has knocked him down the rankings, but McCaffrey and Fournette should be viewed as the premier offensive talents in the 2017 draft.

While both backs can be the traditional downhill rushers who line up deep and pound the rock between the tackles, McCaffrey's versatility sets him apart.

He's no match for Fournette's overwhelming power, but there are only a handful of teams who can get full value out of the strong LSU runner, while every team passes the ball enough to put the Stanford boy to use. Fournette requires an above average offensive line, at least 20 touches per game, and an offense with a run-first mentality. McCaffrey just needs a relatively creative offensive system and 18 inches of daylight.

With running backs Le'Veon Bell and David Johnson showing how their combination of rushing and receiving skills make them two of the hardest players to stop, the value McCaffrey can provide a team ready to use him correctly is immeasurable. Rushing, receiving, blocking, returning, and even harmonica playing - he can do it all. There are few who can say the same.