NFL Players Send Clear Message on Christian McCaffrey After Doubts About His Game: ‘6th Best Player’
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The San Francisco 49ers are reaping the rewards of running back Christian McCaffrey’s heroics last season. The season, which marked one of the strongest in his career, earned him a major endorsement from his peers.
McCaffrey was ranked No. 6 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026. That represents a massive 67-place jump from his No. 73 ranking last year.
McCaffrey’s Peers Put Him Among The NFL’s Elite
McCaffrey’s ranking reflects how dramatically his reputation changed after returning from an injury-plagued 2024 season. The 49ers star started all 17 games and produced 2,126 yards from scrimmage.
He rushed 311 times for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 102 passes for 924 yards and seven touchdowns, leading all NFL running backs in receiving yards. An NFL-themed X page familiar with the development shares about McCaffrey’s placement in the NFL’s new ranking.
Last year, people on here were telling me that Christian McCaffrey lost a step
The players in the league believe he’s the 6th best player in the game
I’ll believe the guys who play with and against CMC https://t.co/aMyfT6ts07pic.twitter.com/FnPYFskKS5
— Coach Yac
The production earned McCaffrey First-Team All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl selection, and the 2025 AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. His peers clearly noticed these feats enough to award him the No. 6 position on the annual NFL Top 100, which draws votes from current NFL players. The ranking places him ahead of several established stars across the league and makes him the highest-ranked 49ers player so far.
Reports from the polls show that George Kittle went further on his ballot, placing McCaffrey at No. 1 in the NFL. For many players, McCaffrey’s preparation, consistency, and ability to handle a massive workload are worth appreciating.
McCaffrey’s 413 touches in 2025 were the most in 49ers history. Despite concerns about his previous injury problems and workload, he remained productive throughout the season.
Other observers have also praised McCaffrey’s versatility and receiving ability, which makes him comparable to a wide receiver. This versatility has always separated McCaffrey from most running backs. When he’s not line up in the backfield, he’s splitting out wide, operating from the slot, or contributing as both a runner and receiver.
McCaffrey also scored a rushing or receiving touchdown in 12 games, giving San Francisco a reliable offensive weapon throughout the season. The production helped him regain his place among the league’s biggest stars after injuries limited him during the previous campaign.
His career numbers further explain why players continue to hold him in such high regard. Through nine NFL seasons, McCaffrey has accumulated 12,979 scrimmage yards and 98 total touchdowns. Last season also saw him surpass 2,000 scrimmage yards for the third time during his career.
Now entering his 10th NFL season, McCaffrey will remain central to Kyle Shanahan’s offensive plans. His ability to impact games without requiring a traditional passing-game role makes him particularly valuable to San Francisco.
NFL players apparently believe McCaffrey’s injury history should not overshadow what he can accomplish when healthy. After returning to form in 2025, he has earned another opportunity to prove that he remains one of the most influential non-quarterbacks in football. For the 49ers, that could be the most important takeaway of all, as they seek to maximize their winning chances when the new season gets underway.
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