The Carolina Panthers traded running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for draft picks, news agency AP reported citing two people familiar with the situation.

The Panthers will receive picks in the second, third and fourth rounds of the 2023 draft, as well as a fifth-rounder in 2024, according to one of the people who spoke to the AP.

Also read: A look at Carolina Panthers’ running back depth chart

McCaffrey, ranked fourth-best RB this season so far behind Austin Ekeler, Nick Chubb and Saquon Barkley, has 393 in 85 attempts. He has two rushing touchdowns. The 26-year-old has received 33 of his 43 targets for one TD. He has scored 101.50 fantasy points in the first six weeks. 

Also read: NFL 2022: What does Christian McCaffrey bring to San Francisco 49ers?

The star RB joins the likes of Deebo Samuel, star tight end George Kittle and receiver Brandon Aiyuk at San Francisco. He is expected to give coach Kyle Shanahan the services of both an RB and WR. 

McCaffrey has a $990,000 salary this year after Carolina reworked his contract, making him an easy fit under the salary cap. He is owed about $36 million over the next three years, but none of that is guaranteed.

Will he start in Week 7?

San Francisco play the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. McCaffrey’s addition to the team will give Shanahan and co a huge boost against Patrick Mahomes’ side. 

However, there is a good chance, he will not play. For a player to start immediately after the trade is quite unlikely. Even for a star like McCaffrey, practice time with the squad is necessary. 

With Elijah Mitchell injured, the 49ers desperately needed a quality partner to support their star-studded offense. However, McCaffrey might warm the bench for his first week in San Franciso. 

Also readL NFL 2022: Why Carolina Panthers traded running back Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco 49ers

McCaffrey becomes the second skill position player to be traded this week by the Panthers (1-5) since coach Matt Rhule was fired on Oct. 10. Carolina sent wide receiver Robbie Anderson to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday for two future late-round draft picks.

McCaffrey has 7,272 yards from scrimmage — 3,980 rushing and 3,292 receiving — and has scored 50 touchdowns since coming into the league as the eighth overall draft pick in 2017.