Size and workload will be the most common knocks associated with McCaffrey, but they shouldn't be.

High-end NFL Player Comp(s): Brian Westbrook
Low-end NFL Player Comp(s): Danny Woodhead

Best Scheme Fit: Any system that gives him multiple opportunities every game to work 1-on-1 against a linebacker in coverage. While he's an above-average inside runner, he can be used all over the field in the passing game and excels at outside zone runs.

Note: All times listed in parentheses in strengths/weaknesses section reflect the start time on video - via Draft Breakdown - that displays that skill/trait.

Strengths

• Absolute mismatch weapon in the passing game, pure hands-catcher (2:22, 2:39, 6:30) capable of running routes like a receiver with the ability to beat cornerbacks if necessary. (1:13, 2:38, 2:43, 4:52, 5:00)
  
  
• Marriage between feet and eyes as good as any prospect in recent memory. (1:44, 2:10, 2:43, 3:40, 4:50)
  
  
• Possesses a great sense of when exactly to hit the hole hard, when to be patient (0:50, 4:06, 6:24) and when/how to set up his blocks. (3:15, 5:30, 6:12, 6:35, 6:54, 7:33)
  
  
• Runs with more power than one would expect for a 202-pounder (4:07, 4:35, 4:47, 4:59, 5:15, 5:47); 3.3 yards after contact per attempt per Pro Football Focus.
  
  
• Weaves in and out of traffic (1:44, 2:11, 4:32, 5:51, 6:25), transitions seamlessly when making cuts (2:05, 4:32, 6:53), and boasts above-average acceleration. (3:42, 4:07, 8:19)
  
  
• Incredibly difficult to square up in 1-on-1 situations with impressive stop-start ability and two-lane jump-cuts. (2:10, 3:10, 3:45, 4:07, 4:13, 4:31, 5:37)
  
  
• Will be able to make instant impact if he is asked to return kicks. (2:30, 3:13, 8:30)
  
  
• Incredibly football-smart player (5:55, 6:15) who maintains a good base as a pass-blocker (3:40) and will generally neutralize the blitzer in pass pro. (3:16, 6:05, 7:48)

Weaknesses

• Lacks prototypical size for the position and may be viewed as only a "movable chess piece."
  
  
• Doesn't often take a big blow but tends to run a bit upright at the end of second-level runs - usually after making a move - which leads to a bigger hit than he should receive. (1:02, 1:31, 4:41, 5:05, 8:12)
  
  
• Not a dancer but can almost be too patient waiting for crease to develop (2:30, 6:04, 6:55) sometimes stopping his feet in the process. (3:16, 4:41)
  
  
• Doesn't always protect the ball with two hands (or keep the ball high-and-tight with one) as often as he should in traffic. (0:01, 3:22)
  
  
• Can be a bit late to recognize his blocking assignment (4:31, 5:19) or fail to chip a defensive end effectively. (3:38)

Bottom Line

While there is a lot of truth to the idea about any prospect reaching his full potential if he lands in the right situation, it really applies to McCaffrey. In a conservative offense that views him as little more than a third-down specialist and/or committee back, he profiles a bigger and more dynamic version of Woodhead. In an offense that values creativity and will ruthlessly target matchups week after week, McCaffrey could easily be this generation's Westbrook or even Marshall Faulk as a highly intelligent player capable of routinely finishing with 60 to 80 catches and 200 to 225 carries per season. The 2015 Heisman Trophy runner-up doesn't exactly possess ideal size at 202 pounds, but we've seen numerous examples of running backs playing at a Pro Bowl level at that weight or lighter. Like Faulk, McCaffrey should be to handle a feature-back type of workload because he sees the field so well, which obviously allows him to avoid a lot of punishing blows. He should see a ton of work in the passing game, which should allow him to dictate terms to the defense and force linebackers and safeties to play on their heels.

Size and career workload (745 combined touches over three seasons) will probably be the most common knocks associated with McCaffrey, but they really shouldn't be. The single-season NCAA record-holder in all-purpose yards is a great space player who happens to be a very good inside runner, not an inside pounder who relies on physicality to create space. In other words, his touches over the last two years aren't equivalent to the ones a player like LSU's Leonard Fournette absorbed during his college days. Successful running backs come in all shapes and sizes; it's up to their teams to mold their scheme in order to highlight what they do best. Whereas most prospects have at least one obvious flaw, McCaffrey has no glaring weakness and only parts in his game he needs to refine through more reps and NFL-level coaching. My earlier comparisons to Faulk and Westbrook earlier has to do with play style and football intelligence more than his level or statistical upside - Faulk did spend a good deal of his career in a Mike Martz offense - but the right play-caller will be able to use McCaffrey in a similar way.