Steve Young compares Niners RB Christian McCaffrey to Ricky Watters, Lamar Jackson

Hall of Famer Steve Young has visions of retired running back Ricky Watters and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson when he sees San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey. 

"Ricky was bigger, and so he could run people over," Young explained during an appearance on San Francisco radio station KNBR, per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone. "... Christian is twitchier, right? He's more Lamar Jackson. Like, he can make you ... you just miss. Ricky was more fluid. But we all underappreciated him when he was with us. And then, when he was gone, I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, was he great.' And that's just one of those stupid mistakes that we all make when you don't appreciate people that are close to you.

"But both of them, super talented, and really, to me, are the sauce of championships. Christian McCaffrey and Ricky Watters are the kind of things that create a championship ... that's how you go win them. So that's why I'm pretty excited about it." 

Young made his comments after McCaffrey, officially acquired by the 49ers on Oct. 21, recorded a rushing, receiving and passing touchdown in San Francisco's 31-14 victory over the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday that improved the Niners to 4-4. As for Watters, he and Young were teammates for several seasons during the first half of the 1990s and helped the 49ers defeat the then-San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX. 

Young was named Most Valuable Player for that game. 

Young also praised McCaffrey's preparations and his ability to adapt to a new offense so soon after the trade from the Carolina Panthers.

"Christian's so prepared, memorizes every week, 'Tell me more, Coach. Give me more. I want more.' And then everyone around him is going, 'Should I be asking for more?' Yeah, if you want to keep your job," Young said during the segment. "That just raises everybody. It sets the bar. ... Guys like Christian McCaffrey do not allow you to just go through the motions, and that really helps week to week."

The 49ers are in their bye and next host the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) on Nov. 13.