A bust candidate if only due to his high draft position, his fluky scoring numbers from last season and the presence of emerging stud Jonathan Stewart. His versatility may be his saving grace; the Panthers are unlikely to hand the reins over to Stewart permanently at any point given Williams’ receiving ability and home-run potential. Regardless, owners should approach the veteran with extreme caution. There are other backs available in the first round who will produce as Williams did last year but with greater certainty.
('09 Proj: 200 att, 1200 total yards, 7 touchdowns) ~Stan Feldman
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I guess all it took for Williams to finally realize his potential was for the Panthers to sign a stud rookie running back (Jonathan Stewart). 1,515 yds and 18 touchdowns made Williams one of 2008’s biggest surprises. Stewart will again receive around 40% of the carries but if last season was any indication, then Williams owners won’t mind.
('09 Proj: 260 att, 1,248 yds, 12 touchdowns, 25 rec, 173 yds, 1 TD) ~Robb Perkins
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Had a monster year in 2008, but will most likely have a statistical letdown this year as Jonathan Stewart continues to work his way into the rotation. The question is how much of a letdown? He has a good offensive line, and he is just entering the prime of his career. Right now, I’m pegging him for 75 percent production from last year. That’s still some nice chedda for your fantasy team.
('09 Proj: 1,200 total yds, 12 touchdowns) ~Jon Rascon
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Williams has maintained a plus-5.0 rushing average over the last two seasons and is still playing for a new contract behind one of the best Offensive lines in the league. I expect him to go in the first round but maybe not in the first 5 picks.
('09 Proj: 1,600 total yds, 16 touchdowns) ~Dave Fosdick
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Last year DeAngelo Williams went on a statistical tear during the second half of the season. His fantasy value has been vaulted into the first round and I’ve seen him being projected as high as number three overall. Do yourself a favor and don’t buy into the hype. He will still be in a timeshare with the versatile Jonathan Stewart.
(‘09 Proj: 250 ATT, 1,270 yds, 11 touchdowns, 26 rec, 175 yds, 1 td) ~ John Kezer
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This breakout stud led the league in touchdowns last season so, what else can you say about him. Jonathon Stewart is still lurking but not to worry, this team pounds away on the ground and there are plenty of carries to go around here.
('09 Proj: 1,550 total yds, 15 touchdowns) ~Steve Cavanagh
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Did you see Jake Delhomme’s playoff performance against the Cardinals? Would you want to put games in the hands of that guy? I didn’t think so.
('09 Proj: 270 att, 1,500 total yds, 13 touchdowns) ~Jeremy Fischer
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There were no previous indications that DeAngelo Williams was capable of having the monster year he did last season. However, even sharing the load a bit with rookie Jonathan Stewart, he established himself as a fantasy force to be reckoned with by finishing third among all running backs with 1,515 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. The odds are slim that he’ll repeat such an astounding performance, but he should still be a top ten pick this year and for many to come.
('09 Proj: 250 att, 1,300 yds, 15 touchdowns) ~Frank Mazzola
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Hindsight is most certainly 20/20 in the case of DeAngelo Williams. His depressed stats in '06 and '07 (if you can call 4.1 and 5.0 yards per carry "depressed") were the result of a subtle blend of key injuries along the offensive line, poorer defensive play which didn't allow the Panthers to play a "keep-away" brand of football and Williams' own nagging injuries. Will obviously not repeat 1,500+ yd, 20 touchdown season but make no mistake, even 75% of that is quality numbers for a #1 fantasy RB. With little outside of Steve Smith happening through the air, I agree with Cavanagh. Plenty of attempts to keep both "D-Will" and "J-Stew" owners happy.
('09 Proj: 230 att, 1,400 total yds, 14 touchdowns) ~Rick Perkins
