Breaking NFL news tonight with reports that the San Francisco 49ers have acquired Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey for a slew of NFL draft picks including a 2023 2nd round pick, 2023 3rd round pick and a 2023 4th round pick as well as a 5th round pick in 2024. This trade now will have massive implications across the fantasy football world as everyone heads to their fantasy football waiver wire to add Chuba Hubbard and D'onta Foreman while the likes of Jeff Wilson, Deebo Samuel are being impacted by this move as well. 

Christian McCaffrey Trade Impact

With this trade McCaffrey now moves to an offense that is among the leagues best running attacks in football and with one of the leagues best offensive lines. Jimmy Garoppolo is the perfect QB to maximize the skillset of CMC given his propensity for the intermediate and short-yardage throws. The 49ers don't often utilize their running backs in the passing game but that will obviously be changing with the acquisition of McCaffrey. As it stands right now CMC was the RB4 overall in PPR formats. His touchdown upside in this 49ers offense has certainly jumped and while he is now unlikely to suit up in Week 7, he will be among the top fantasy options not just in seasonal fantasy but DFS moving forward in his new home.  It appears CMC will immediately be active for the 49ers as well.

San Francisco 49ers Trade Impact

With his acquisition those fantasy managers that have rostered Jeff Wilson are in a tough spot. While Wilson has had a great season thus far, he is now going to take a backseat, if he doesn't find himself traded to another spot as well. Wilson is currently the RB23 in PPR formats but no longer holds much more than flex value.

Deebo Samuel could also take a hit here. Samuel's running ability in recent seasons as well as his routes out of the backfield likely take a big hit with McCaffrey's arrival. Samuel will still operate as the team's top receiving target but there is no doubt that adding another player that has the elite receiving ability that McCaffrey possesses will change the dynamic of the 49ers offense.

Carolina Panther Trade Impact

With the trade of McCaffrey the Panthers now have a hole to fill in their backfield. During the offseason the team signed D'onta Foreman and they still have Chuba Hubbard who they took in the 4th round of last year's NFL Draft. Hubbard has the closest skillset to CMC, and I say that very loosely, as he has some pass catching ability. Last season, with CMC injury, he rushed for 612 yards and five touchdowns while adding 25 receptions for 174 yards and a score. If picking an RB to add off the fantasy football waiver wire then Chuba Hubbard would be my best bet for the rest of season value on this Panthers team that will still be active as we head towards the trade deadline. Even as the RB1 for the Panthers, whether it be Hubbard or Foreman, neither posses much more than flex options in fantasy football right now.

 

 

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