Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 30 | Last year’s ranking: 5
McCaffrey kept a tight pace with Barkley for the third spot but received more votes outside of the top five than he usually does.
In 2025, McCaffrey posted his third career season with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards, tied for fourth most by a running back in NFL history. He needed a league-high 413 touches to do it.
McCaffrey’s 3.9 yards per carry was his lowest full-season clip since his rookie year in 2017. One factor: The 49ers ranked 29th in rushing yards before contact (2.04).
“He’s declined some — I think you will see more juice if he doesn’t have to be the focal point of both the run and pass game,” an NFC executive said. “But he’s such an elite overall player with versatility who takes care of himself that he can be a top guy for at least one more year.”