DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart: Who Should Be Drafted First?

Ryan LesterJul 6, 2010

There aren’t many running back by commitee approaches that work as well for fantasy owners as they do for the actual NFL teams, but the Carolina Panthers one-two punch of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart is the exception.

In 2008 they combined for 2,351 yards and 28 touchdowns (Williams: 1,515 and 18, Stewart: 836 and 10). Last year they combined for 2,250 yards and 17 scores (Stewart: 1,133 and 10, Williams 1117 and seven). Williams has the better combined numbers over the two seasons, but which one do you prefer for 2010?

Currently Williams seems to be the favorite with an average draft position of 13 compared to 30 for Stewart. ESPN has a narrower gap, with Williams ranked 15 and Stewart ranked 17. I tend to think the opposite in this scenario and actually favor Stewart.

Williams had more carries per game last year, but Stewart's numbers should be even larger in 2010 after he exploded for 440 yards and three TDs (plus 30 receiving yards and a receiving TD) in the final three games against the Vikings, Giants, and Saints.

Stewart is a bigger back (5’10″, 235 lbs) than Williams (5’9″, 217 lbs) and better suited for smash-mouth football, which is what the Panthers figure to employ with an inexperienced quarterback (Matt Moore) and minimal weapons in the passing game.

Plus, even if they split the carries evenly in the early part of games, Stewart is the better option to close out games.

Stewart has been bothered by injuries in his first two seasons but was still able to play every game. He has nearly 2,000 yards and 20 TDs in two seasons despite those injuries. Can you imagine how good he’ll be now that he’s healthy?

That’s not to say I don’t think Williams can be successful. He is an elusive back who can score any time he touches the ball.

He is just as capable as any other RB in the league of turning in a monster performance. I just think he’ll have fewer opportunities to do his thing in 2010.

Predictions

Stewart : 1500 total yards, 12 TDs
Williams: 1300 total yards, 8 TDs

Which Carolina RB do you prefer?

Originally published at LestersLegends.com .