Christian McCaffrey to Panthers: Twitter Reacts to RB Selected in 2017 NFL Draft

Running back Christian McCaffrey was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the eighth overall pick of the 2017 NFL draft. 

There were plenty of reactions to the selection.

"

Christian McCaffrey to Carolina with the No. 8 pick. "The Panthers didn't really hide their affection." @AlbertBreer https://t.co/66Jb1rjhfn pic.twitter.com/okjDNGSzgp

— SI NFL (@si_nfl) April 28, 2017"

"

Christian McCaffrey’s 6,191 combined all-purpose yards in 2015 & 2016 are the most in a 2-season span by any player in FBS history. pic.twitter.com/DyTR0cxFhH

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 28, 2017"

McCaffrey was one of the more divisive prospects in this year's draft class. Some folks loved his all-around game and big-play potential. Others were concerned with perceived durability issues and questioned whether he could be a true feature back in the NFL.

McCaffrey, however, remained confident.

"I feel like a lot of people don't give me credit for my skills and talents," he told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle in early March. "That's just the way it is, but I also don't really care too much. I don't feel like I'm crazy disrespected. I play with a chip on my shoulder at all times. That's been my whole life."

He has a right to be confident. He finished his Stanford career with an impressive 3,922 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in three seasons. But McCaffrey is an equal threat in the passing game, registering 99 receptions for 1,206 yards and an additional 10 scores.

McCaffrey also had a punt return touchdown and kick return score as well.

As Bucky Brooks of NFL.com noted, McCaffrey can help a team in multiple ways:

Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson is certainly a fan.

"McCaffrey is a guy I think, going to the right system, can be a very, very good player," he told Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report.

Alessandro Miglio of Football Guys agreed:

But, yes, there has been debate, namely centering on whether McCaffrey can serve as a feature back and consistently produce between the tackles.

One NFC senior personnel executive told Brooks, "I don't see him carrying the load. I see him catching the ball out of the backfield or getting the ball on some gadgets. I might be wrong, but I just don't see him as a full-time guy."

Another scout added, "You know [he's going to be compared] to Marshall Faulk, but I see him more like Brian Westbrook. He is a change-of-pace back and a returner. He will make some plays, but I don't think he can be your No. 1 guy."

If that critique is ultimately centered around McCaffrey's ability to run between the tackles, Josh Norris of Rotoworld doesn't buy it:

He's not alone.

"I'm not saying he is the best back in the draft, but I believe he can be a star in the right system," an NFC scout told Brooks, adding: "Not that he is strictly a system guy, but there are some coaches in the league who understand how to maximize his talents as a versatile playmaker."

McCaffrey proved he has the athleticism to potentially make an impact at the next level. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran a 4.48 40-yard dash, posted a 37.5" vertical and crushed the three-cone, per Norris:

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared him to Tiki Barber, who was both a feature back and a dangerous weapon in the pass game. Certainly, McCaffrey has that type of upside. If he remains durable and continues to prove he can handle a major workload, he may end up being one of the more dynamic playmakers drafted.

Certainly, McCaffrey believes he's a unique prospect.

"I don't think there's anyone else that can do all the things I can as far as running between the tackles, outside pass protect, play X, Z, slot and do a lot of things in the return game as well," he told Wilson. "I think that's what sets me apart." 

He'll definitely give Cam Newton another dynamic weapon on offense to pair with Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin, and he will also allow the Carolina running attack to be less focused on Newton. That should help keep Newton healthier and prevent him from taking unnecessary shots during the year.

Plus, McCaffrey's diverse skill set should complement Jonathan Stewart's downhill running style in the team's offense, giving them something of a thunder-and-lightning backfield. Panthers fans should be very excited about this addition.