Luke McCaffrey is greater than Christian McCaffrey’s youthful brother

There’s one thing within the water on the subject of the McCaffrey household and taking part in soccer. Christian McCaffrey is one of the best operating again in soccer, a participant who turned pre-draft doubt into ludicrous manufacturing as an all-purpose operating again — now his youthful brother Luke is becoming a member of the NFL to a lot much less fanfare, however stays a captivating mid-round decide.

Luke McCaffrey, who performed huge receiver at Rice, was anticipated to be a Day 3 decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, however was chosen on Day 2 with the final decide of the third spherical by the Washington Commanders. A former quarterback, McCaffrey made the swap to huge receiver in 2022 and has proven ludicrous development on the place over a brief time period. There may not be a wealth of movie to undertaking him to the following stage, however there are components to his sport that are fascinating.

Work ethic and motor

Luke is a man who simply loves taking part in soccer. There’s no pretense or ego to his sport. His swap to receiver from quarterback was merely a possibility to get extra reps and see the sector extra, and for essentially the most half he thrived.

When you’re on the lookout for one trait to hold your hat on, it’s this: McCaffrey is aware of he’s anticipated to make an influence. Within the NFL this tasks largely to fit receiver, the place he is usually a first rate measurement mismatch in opposition to nickel defensive backs. McCaffrey is ready to pair his 6’2, 198-pound body with NFL-caliber physique positioning and palms, which makes up for his lack of burst. This isn’t a man who will burn anybody on a slant, however he excels at weaving by means of protection on prolonged performs and discover methods to get open.

This sort of high-effort play interprets within the NFL. It’s silly to pronounce McCaffrey as the following Puka Nacua, however there are some comparable abilities right here that may’t be ignored.

Large ends in a brief interval

The primary yr McCaffrey made the swap to WR he discovered success. He completed with 58 catches for 723 yards and 6 TDs, then constructed off that in his senior yr with 71 receptions for 993 yards and 13 TDs.

Maybe what makes him such an intriguing do-anything prospect is that he’s obtained a bit little bit of Christian’s abilities on the subject of operating the ball. In two seasons Rice used McCaffrey as a runner 27 occasions, which he completed with 265 speeding yards and a TD. There’s some capability to make use of McCaffrey in gadget performs as nicely, which we’ve seen extra groups utilizing lately — most notably Deebo Samuel in San Francisco.

Contemplating McCaffrey remains to be a piece in progress as a receiver there are positively some constructing blocks right here if he can proceed to develop.

Nice measurables

One of many causes Christian McCaffrey was doubted coming into the 2017 NFL Draft was his smaller construct, however the Carolina Panthers noticed potential in his velocity measurables paired together with his motor. Evaluate the 2 brothers and Luke tasks very favorably to large brother.

Clearly they play completely different positions, however the line is already blurred on the subject of how McCaffrey is used — and the identical can be true of Luke. It’s simply that he has a bit further measurement wanted to play WR.

My crew simply drafted Luke McCaffrey. Ought to I be excited?

It actually comes right down to what your expectations are. As a mid-round decide he’s obtained actually interesting potential — and it’s in all probability truthful to have extra anticipation for Luke McCaffrey than your common fourth or fifth spherical decide.

It is a man who comes from a household full of soccer gamers. Luke has tender palms, nice instincts, and a willingness to do no matter is requested of him. It’s positively value getting a bit excited for, as a result of with a while and nurturing he may simply develop right into a plus-level third or fourth receiver.