Tough to Rank: DeAngelo Williams
Time for everyone's favorite short-lived running segment from last year I forgot about: Tough to Rank. In it, I bring up a player that could seemingly go in any direction and throw it to the floor to find out your infinite wisdom.
First up is last year's Fantasy MVP: DeAngelo Williams. In the first half of last season, Williams was the RB19: 620 total yards, five scores. In the second half, he went bonkers: 1,038 total yards, 15 scores!
The Panthers had 500 rushing attempts and 30 rushing scores last year. Those overall numbers are likely to fall with a tougher schedule that includes both Eastern Divisions.
So which guy do we get this year? Jonathan Stewart had 89 fewer carries than Williams last year; will he close the gap?
Early Mock Draft data has Williams going as a mid-to-late first-round pick. My tone here probably makes it obvious that I see that as tough to swallow. But obviously we can't dismiss last year's top scorer. Let me know where you think he fits.
Comments
Things to keep in mind.
-Outside of a fluke Ted Washington related injury in 2006, DeAngelo has never missed a game.
-His YPC was a whopping .4 yards higher than it was in 2007. Him not supplanting Deshaun until the end of 2007 has less to do with him and more to do with Fox preferring veterans to a fault, even when it's clear they have nothing left (Mike Rucker), ineffective (Vinny Testaverde), or are too risky to put on the field (Dan Morgan).
-He only carried the ball 273 times last year.
-DeAngelo tied the NFL record for TDs from outside 40+ yards, and it's hard for Stewart to vulture TDs when Williams scores from the fifty.
-The offensive line returns intact and Fiammeta will be there.
Posted by: Potato | May 4, 2009 04:59 PM
Deangelo WILL NOT be the fantasy performer he was in 2008 in 2009. Sure he had 20 touchdowns but 8 of them came in 2 games. Stewarts carries will go up as will his yards.. Stewart is going to be panther to have in 2009.
Posted by: frankie | May 4, 2009 05:08 PM
No time to read all the comments...I don't think J-Stew will close the carries gap completely on D-Will...but anytime a RB leads the league in TD runs over 40 yards (aka rare events), you need to expect a fall off back toward the mean in the next year.
Posted by: Dennis | May 4, 2009 05:33 PM
u know the irnony in this is almost worth the read... of each comment that is.
i think people have short memories if they dont remember that everyone kept building up D.Will over the last three years, arrogantly stating till the cows came home of how "this would be the year he beats out D.Foster". lol.
it never happened. and now everyone and their momma is beating the drum for the next best thing since whatever in J.Stewart. Let me give u one answer: not gonna happen. not as long as a) john fox is the coach, b) d.will is healthy or even playable as foster wasnt entirely heathy when he was there, and c) the panthers keep winning.
D.Will is the veteren, he will have the greater roll always. he cleary is effective, has the coaches trust, they win with him in the game, and if anything hes one of their best, proven players. plus no knucklehead factor.
how can u not like williams this year?? im tired of everyone embracing unproven rookies. lets see something first. forte = check, hes good. mcfadden = question mark, not sure. Jstew = same thing. sure stewarts worth a flier (which rb isnt at this point with RBBC's), but thats it, a flier/handcuff.
Posted by: scott c | May 4, 2009 05:59 PM
trying to decide between D Willy, B Marshall, and Jay Cutler for my 4th Keeper. Already keeping AP, S Jax, and Andre Johnson...advice?
Posted by: JZ | May 4, 2009 06:17 PM
DeAngelo is a moose. Top 3 RB
Posted by: Mark D | May 4, 2009 07:27 PM
so im guessing the next tough to rank column will be jay cutler?
Posted by: scott c | May 4, 2009 08:05 PM