Dave Gettleman compares Christian McCaffrey's between-the-tackles ability to Curtis Martin

CHARLOTTE - As the son of former Denver Broncos star wide receiver Ed McCaffrey and a former Stanford football star himself, Christian McCaffrey got a chance to see the biggest game in the history of his eventual NFL team.

McCaffrey says he was struck by how talented the Carolina Panthers were, even as they lost Super Bowl 50 to the Broncos 24-10 in Santa Clara, Cal.

"When you watched that team play and I did the whole year, what a special team," McCaffrey said Thursday in a conference call with Panthers media members. "You know, it's an organization where winning is the standard and that's where we're going to get back to. I can't wait to be a part of that."

It's fairly certain the McCaffreys were rooting for the Broncos that February day in which the favored Panthers lost for only the second time in 19 games in the 2015 season.

But Christian McCaffrey was emphatic about his and his father's loyalties as soon as the Panthers made him the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday night.

"Excited is an understatement," Christian McCaffrey said. "It's such a blessing to be a part of this organization. I'm so thankful that they believed in me and trust me with that eighth pick. I just can't wait to get out there and help them win games."

What about his father, Ed McCaffrey, who was seen wearing a Broncos' sweatshirt at their home in Castle Rock, Col., (a Denver suburb) when Christian McCaffrey was being interviewed on ESPN?

"He threw it off and put on a Panthers jersey," Christian McCaffrey said.

In truth, a set of circumstances that involve a new Panthers coach, a clear need for an offensive playmaker and a successful pre-draft visit to Charlotte led Christian McCaffrey to the Panthers.

A 6-foot, 200-pounder who left Stanford after three seasons, Christian McCaffrey became the seventh top 10 NFL draft pick in franchise history. He joins quarterbacks Kerry Collins (No. 5 in 1995) and Cam Newton (No. 1 in 2011), running back Tim Biakabutuka (No. 8 in 1996), defensive end Julius Peppers (No. 2 in 2002), offensive tackle Jordan Gross (No. 8 in 2003) and linebacker Luke Kuechly (No. 9 in 2012).

Lance Taylor returned as Panthers wide receivers coach in February after three seasons as Stanford's running backs coach, during which time Christian McCaffrey had his record-setting career as a rusher, receiver and kick returner.

Taylor, who had first served as Carolina wide receivers coach in 2013, brought with him some insight into his star collegian's background - and Panthers head coach Ron Rivera was emphatic that it made a difference in the team's decision to select McCaffrey.

"He fit the bill," Rivera said of McCaffrey. "We had Lance Taylor here. So before we brought (Christian) in, we spoke to Lance and got to know things about (Christian). You know, meeting him and being around him, listening to him talk and watching him interact with our players, it's just one of those things that you feel comfortable that this is right type of guy."

Rivera was emphatic that McCaffrey's versatility as a runner, receiver and return man will be put to use immediately - and in a way that'll benefit Newton and veteran Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart for a team that slipped to 6-10 last season.

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman also lavished praise on McCaffrey, saying he compared his size and skill set to NFL standouts Brian Westbrook, Curtis Martin, LeSean McCoy and Reggie Bush.

"The best tackle-box runner I've ever seen is Curtis Martin when he came out of Pitt," Gettleman said. "Christian is right there with him. Running in that tackle-box takes unique vision and unique foot quickness. And he's got it. Curtis Martin had it. He had a great career, a Hall of Fame career. And this kid's got those kinds of skills."

McCaffrey welcomes such comparisons and expects his versatility to help him in the NFL.

His answer to a question about his NFL position says much about his view of his diverse skill set.

"I'm a football player," McCaffrey said. "I don't put a title on what position I am. If you need me to go be a wideout, I can go to wideout. If you need to me to run power in between the tackles, I believe I can do that as well. I think there's such a variety of things I can do. That's something I pride myself on."

Carolina has three selections on Friday - Nos. 40 and 64 in the second round and No. 98 in the third round. Then on Saturday, they'll have No. 115 in the fourth round, No. 152 in the fifth round, No. 192 in the sixth round and No. 233 in the seventh round.

"Your first pick sets the tone," Gettleman said. "And we feel we got off to a great start."

Richard Walker: 704-869-1841; twitter.com/jrwalk22