NFL Free Agency: Why Carolina Panthers Made a Mistake Signing DeAngelo Williams

The Caroina Panthers and GM Marty Hurney have made two big splashes thus far in the NFL's abbreviated free agency period.  

One of these splashes could turn out to be a huge and expensive mistake.  

On Wednesday, the Panthers inked Williams to a 5-year, $43 million deal, with $21 million guaranteed.  Those are numbers that I don't think the Broncos, Dolphins, or any other team interested in Williams would have ever proposed.  

To give $21 million guaranteed to a running back who is twenty-eight years old is a risk.  Williams is nearing the daunting age of thirty, the point when most running backs start to decline rather quickly.  

Not only that, but Williams is also coming off a foot injury that cost him nearly all of 2010.  Williams relies on his speed and elusiveness to gain yards.  Fortunately, the injury did not require surgery.  But no one knows for sure how his foot injury will affect his abilities on the field.  

On the other hand, although Williams is twenty-eight, his workload has been limited throughout his career, thanks to Jonathan Stewart's presence.  He is not similar to Larry Johnson of the Chiefs a la 2009.  

Bringing Williams back was obviously a large priority for the Panthers.  The importance of a steady running game is crucial for the development of 1st round QB Cam Newton.  

However, breaking the bank on a running back at the end of his prime who is coming off a foot injury is a risky proposition and could very well come back to haunt the Panthers.