TL;DR
- The 49ers' trade for Christian McCaffrey has been highly successful, boosting their record significantly.
- McCaffrey has outperformed his Panthers statistics with the 49ers, showing increased productivity and durability.
- The Panthers received multiple draft picks but have struggled to find impactful players from the trade.
- McCaffrey's acquisition led to personal accolades and a Super Bowl appearance for the 49ers.
The 49ers acquired former Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey in a significant trade just before the 2022 deadline. Over three years on, coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have even stronger reasons to be pleased with the transaction than they did when it occurred.
There's no reason for AllSportsPeople to grade that trade again, because the highest and most appropriate mark was given. While many dinged the 49ers for giving four draft picks for McCaffrey, SN gave San Francisco an A+, with Carolina getting a D- for moving the face of its franchise.
Since acquiring McCaffrey, the 49ers' record stands at 34-14, encompassing playoff games. Conversely, the Panthers have fared poorly, with a 19-37 record since McCaffrey's trade.
Here's breaking down just how great the CMC trade was for the 49ers:
Christian McCaffrey's statistics: 49ers versus Panthers
| Statistic | 49ers since 2022 | Panthers 2017-2022 |
| Games (including playoffs) | 48 | 65 |
| Rushing attempts | 773 | 872 |
| Rushing yards | 3,620 | 3,996 |
| Rushing yards per carry | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| Rushing yards per game | 75.4 | 61.4 |
| Receptions | 239 | 396 |
| Receiving yards | 2,119 | 3,393 |
| Yards per reception | 8.9 | 8.6 |
| Receiving yards per game | 44.1 | 52.2 |
| Total scrimmage yards | 5,739 | 7,389 |
| Scrimmage yards per game | 119.5 | 113.7 |
| Total touchdowns | 50 | 51 |
Data indicates McCaffrey has demonstrated greater overall productivity and efficiency with the 49ers, managing a higher workload in the run game. He's also been a significantly more prolific scorer, achieving nearly a touchdown per contest. San Francisco's reliance on McCaffrey has surpassed even Carolina's. Furthermore, his durability and availability have improved since joining the Bay Area team.
McCaffrey participated in 64 out of the Panthers' 98 total games (65.3 percent) during his tenure. Since his acquisition by the 49ers on October 20, 2022, he has appeared in 48 of their 61 contests (78.7 percent), with the majority of 2024 being sidelined due to injuries.
Christian McCaffrey trade: Panthers' haul of 49ers draft picks
While the 49ers faced criticism for trading four draft picks to Carolina for McCaffrey, it was significant that they didn't part with a first-round selection. The complete initial package included:
- 2023 second-round draft pick
- 2023 third-round draft pick
- 2023 fourth-round draft pick
- 2024 fifth-round draft pick
Following the 2023 selections, the team traded their second-round pick, number 61 overall. This trade also included wide receiver D.J. Moore, a first-round pick from 2023, a first-round pick from 2024, and a second-round pick from 2024. The purpose of this transaction was to acquire the first overall pick to select quarterback Bryce Young.
The Panthers traded their 2023 third-round selection (93rd overall) and fourth-round pick (132nd overall) to the Steelers to acquire the 80th overall pick. This pick was used to select backup linebacker D.J. Johnson, who was subsequently released by Carolina on September 30th of this year.
The 2024 fifth-round selection (166th overall) was sent to the Giants alongside edge rusher Brian Burns, who currently leads the NFC with 13 sacks for New York this year.
That led the Panthers to getting a 2024 third-round pick (No. 39 overall) and a different fifth-round pick (No. 141 overall). No. 39 was traded to the Rams for No. 52 and No. 155 that year, plus a 2025 second-round pick. No. 141 and No. 33 went to the Bills to acquire No. 200 and No. 32 in '24.
The Panthers sent Nos. 52 and 155, plus No. 142, to the Colts in exchange for No. 46 and a 2024 second-round selection. That pick was used on injured running back Jonathon Brooks.. With No. 32 in '24, the Panthers acquired wide receiver Xavier Legette.. Defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy was selected by The Panthers at No. 200.
In 2025, the Panthers exchanged that second-round pick (57th overall) from The Rams, along with picks 74, 111, and 230, to the Broncos for picks 51, 85, 122, and 208.
The Panthers selected edge rusher Nik Scourton with Pick No. 51. They then traded No. 85 and No. 146 to acquire No. 77 overall, using that selection on edge rusher Princely Umanmielen. Safety Lathan Ransom was chosen at No. 122. The team's final pick, No. 208 overall, was used to draft wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr..
Subsequently, the Panthers traded McCaffrey, Moore, and Burns in exchange for Young, Johnson, Brooks, Legette, Crumedy, Scourton, Umanmielen, Ransom, and Horn. This exchange represents a sacrifice of high-caliber talent for a larger volume of less impactful players, with Young, Legette, and Scourton being the sole current starters from the acquired group.
Shanahan's 49ers identified an opportunity to secure a running back perfectly suited for their offensive scheme during his peak performance, and Lynch executed a smart acquisition. Recent history indicates that the 49ers didn't sacrifice a significant amount to obtain CMC's impactful offensive contributions.
Since joining the 49ers, McCaffrey has secured his inaugural rushing title and Offensive Player of the Year honor. He was also instrumental in the 2023 season, guiding them to Super Bowl 58 and nearly defeating the Chiefs in overtime.
If McCaffrey had remained with The Panthers during their latest rebuilding phase, it's certain he wouldn't have achieved the same personal success or come close to his current team's accomplishments. The 49ers' advantageous trade with The Panthers proved to be a brilliant move, and McCaffrey will serve as a stark reminder of that during the prime-time game.