Carolina Panthers 2010 Running Back Preview
DeAngelo Williams
The new trend over the last few years in the NFL is to have two
top-notch backs to pound defenses and this is no more prevalent
than in Carolina. And in no other situation is it more difficult
for fantasy owners to decide when to draft one of there two stud
running backs in Carolina, DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart.
DeAngelo Williams would be among the top-five if not for his teamate
Stewart, who too could be close to the top-five in talent.
The plus for Williams is that Stewart is coming off of toe surgery
so Williams should have the upper hand early on to get the starting
nod (Williams too had offseason surgery to clean up an ankle injury,
but it was less serious). In addition Williams is in a contract
year. With that said, Stewart played strong, even with the toe injury,
at the end of last season and may be one of the most talented back
in the NFL.
The bigger question for Williams may be he play of the Carolina
offense. First the offensive line is rather average, though it's
youth gives it some potential for improvement, but quarterback play
will be the big question. Matt Moore played well to end the season,
but is a huge question mark. The Panthers drafted Jimmy Clausen
with their first pick (2nd round), but either way points may be
hard to come by in Carolina.
2009 Statistics:
1,117 Yds - 7 TD's - 29 Rec - 252 Yds - 0 TD's
2010 Projection: 1,301
Yds - 10 TD's - 36 Rec - 297 Yds - 1 TD
