Report: Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey is visiting the Broncos today

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, former Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey will be visiting the Denver Broncos today.

#Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey is visiting the #Broncos tomorrow, source said. He may have some familiarity there. Car trip, by the way

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 12, 2017

This will be the second time that the Broncos and McCaffrey have met during the draft process. The first time they met was when they had a formal interview with the former Stanford star during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine.

While at the Combine, Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway called McCaffrey a "dynamic playmaker who can do it all" and someone who will have an "instant impact" wherever he goes.

The rumors connecting McCaffrey to the Broncos only started to begin.

In mid-March, longtime draft analyst Tony Pauline reported that he continued to hear daily rumors saying the Broncos could take McCaffrey in the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

"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 rumors continued when 104.3 The Fan's Tyler Polumbus heard that the Broncos were among the four teams "most interested" in Christian McCaffrey. The other teams named were the San Fransisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Indianapolis Colts.

Now the Broncos are hosting Christian McCaffrey in for a visit at the Broncos facility to meet General Manager John Elway, Head Coach Vance Joseph, Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy, and Running Back's coach Eric Studesville face to face once again.

Usually player visits are about homework (red flags, football IQ). Not C. McCaffrey's, his Broncos visit is about validating if they move up

— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) April 12, 2017

Tyler Polumbus of 104.3 THE Fan had an interesting tweet last night about today's visit between the Broncos and McCaffrey. He states that these pre-draft visits are more homework for the team, like checking on red flags, a player's football IQ, and likely health and other things, but not this visit. Polumbus believes this visit is about validating their opinion on McCaffrey in case they move up in the draft for the offensive playmaker.

McCaffrey has consistently been mocked ahead of the Broncos and has been mocked as high as pick 8 to the Carolina Panthers. The hype about that potential pick didn't slow down today when NFL Network's Ian Rapoport was told by an NFL GM that McCaffrey ending with the Panthers wouldn't be "shocking or surprising". Also as noted above, the Eagles and Colts are also interested in McCaffrey, so the Broncos have some competition for his services.

This why Polumbus's comments are interesting. I doubt the Broncos would ever move up past pick 8 to get McCaffrey, but ahead of the Eagles and Colts could happen with the extra picks the Broncos have in this year's draft.

The Broncos interest in Christian McCaffrey appears to be very real, but at what lengths they will go to make sure they get the Stanford star is the big unanswered question.