:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53965513/GettyImages-625762144.0.jpg)
According to 104.3 The FAN's Tyler Polumbus, he has heard from people close to the situation that the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and the Denver Broncos are the four teams most interested in running back/receiver Christian McCaffrey.
.@Tyler_Polumbus "From someone close to the situation, the four teams most interested in C.McCaffrey are #Eagles, #49ers, #Colts & #Broncos"
— 104.3 The FAN (@1043TheFan) March 29, 2017
The connection between former Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and the Denver Broncos continue to happen as we lead up to the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft which is now under a month away.
Draft Inside Tony Pauline stated earlier this month that he continued to hear daily rumors during the NFL Scouting Combine that the Broncos could take McCaffrey in the first round.
"Christian McCaffrey had one of the most complete combine workouts of 2017. His testing marks were some of the best from the running back class, and he was head and shoulders above everyone else during position drills. I still believe McCaffrey doesn’t have a true every-down position in the NFL; he will be moved between running back and slot receiver, line up on the flanks as a wideout and, of course, return kicks and punts. He’s a dream prospect for an innovative offensive mind.
Where does he end up in the draft? During the combine I consistently heard daily rumors that the Denver Broncos could take McCaffrey in Round 1 in large part due to the Elway/McCaffrey family relationship dating back to Stanford."
The Broncos met with McCaffrey at the Combine and had a formal interview with the explosive playmaker. They also had representatives at the Stanford's Pro Day last week where McCaffrey did receiver only drills to show that he can do it all.
As expected, the Broncos are not the only team interested in McCaffrey.
The 49ers have the second overall pick and I highly doubt they take McCaffrey there. They could be hoping he falls into the second round but that is also highly doubtful, so they do not seem like a threat unless they decide to trade back.
The Eagles and Colts appear to be the Broncos biggest threat for McCaffrey. The Eagles need a playmaker at the position and someone to pair with their promising young quarterback, Carson Wentz. The Colts have Frank Gore, but he has been around for quite awhile, and McCaffrey would give them a dynamic playmaker for Andrew Luck.
What bodes well for the Broncos is that these two teams have more pressing needs and will likely have prospects higher on their board than McCaffrey. The Eagles could use some help on the defensive side of the ball, specifically the cornerback position. While the Colts need help along the offensive line and need a difference maker or two on the defensive side of the ball. So the Broncos need to hope they decide to address other needs on their roster.
Another thing that might help the Broncos is Dalvin Cook being selected before McCaffrey. Cook has some red flags and is coming off a terrible Combine(Had a better Pro Day) but his tape is legit and he is a better pure running back than McCaffrey. So one of those teams may decide to select Cook instead of McCaffrey.
If the cards fall in Elway's favor in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, it sounds like it's rather likely that we will see Christian McCaffrey in orange and blue in 2017...and maybe bringing back the #30 to the running back position for the Broncos.