FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 5/15/2013 9:51am et

The Carolina Panthers restructured RB DeAngelo Williams' contract. He was in the third season of a five-year, $43 million contract and was scheduled to earn $5 million with an $8.2 million salary cap number for 2013. Williams will still receive $5 million in cash this year, but the deal has been restructured in a way that reduces his cap number to $5 million, a cap savings of $3.2 million that leaves the team $8.46 million under their adjusted 2013 salary cap number of $126.232 million. Williams was scheduled to earn $4.75 million in non-guaranteed base salary with a $250,000 workout bonus this season. Under the renegotiated contract, Williams' base salary was lowered to $850,000 and his workout bonus reduced to $150,000. The remaining $4 million was converted to a signing bonus, which will be prorated against the Panthers' cap at $800,000 per season through 2017.

Huddle Up: The restructuring should end the speculation about Williams getting cut, as this deal makes him a whole lot more cap-friendly--and a whole lot more likely to remain on the Carolina roster. Now let's see if the Panthers can do something similar with Jonathan Stewart.

Posted: 5/5/2013 11:25pm et

Carolina Panthers general manager David Gettleman did not rule out the possibility of trading RB DeAngelo Williams at some point.

Huddle Up: Another offseason, another round of Williams trade rumors. But with a number of RB-needy teams having already filled their needs in the draft or free agency, the more likely it appears Williams will start his 8th pro season as a member of the Panthers.

Posted: 3/22/2013 12:52am et

There were suggestions during the NFL owners meetings that Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams could still be on the trading block, and the team did not shoot down that notion.

Huddle Up: Yes, the Williams trade rumors are gaining legs once again. At this point, though, we're going to need official league-office documentation to believe it when the RB actually is dealt ...

Posted: 2/24/2013 12:54pm et

The Carolina Panthers are hoping to keep RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart even though they are $10 million over the salary cap. The team believes they can retain Williams at his scheduled $5 million salary for 2013 and his $8.2 million cap figure.

Huddle Up: It seems more unlikely than ever that both Williams and Stewart will still be on the roster with the Panthers' current cap issues, but rumors and speculation have had one or the other on the way out of town for several seasons running now, and yet they remain ...

Posted: 2/10/2013 11:20pm et

The Carolina Panthers could consider releasing RB DeAngelo Williams in June because it would allow them to split his $9.6 million salary cap hit over the next two seasons.

Huddle Up: The Panthers have a lot of cash tied up in RBs Williams and Jonathan Stewart, and it only makes sense to trade or cut ties with one of the 2. If Williams is released, one possible landing spot is Denver with former Panthers coach John Fox.

Posted: 11/28/2012 11:09pm et

Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams is in line to start in Week 13 if RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle) cannot return to action. Stewart was unable to practice Wednesday.

Huddle Up: Williams' performance this season -- particularly over the past 3 games when he's gained a grand total of 45 yards on 25 carries -- doesn't exactly instill much confidence in fantasy GMs.

Posted: 11/5/2012 7:37pm et

Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams has seen his snaps increase over the past two games despite being demoted. Williams received five snaps in Week 7, 14 snaps in Week 8 and 18 snaps in Week 9.

Huddle Up: Williams (67 carries-247 yards) and Jonathan Stewart (62-235) have near-identical stats in the running game, but the fantasy difference is that Williams has found the end zone 3 times while Stewart has yet to notch a rushing TD. Stewart does have 12 catches and a receiving TD to Williams' 4 and none, but the situation remains a true timeshare in every sense of the word.

Posted: 11/1/2012 12:18pm et

There have been no developments regarding Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams and, as of right now, no deal is expected before the trade deadline.

Huddle Up: Those of you speculatively squatting on Williams in hopes of him getting traded to a team that will put his talents to work, your wait appears to have been in vain. Now you can start speculatively squatting on Williams in hopes of him winding up on a different team this offseason.

Posted: 10/31/2012 4:53pm et

Multiple league sources are saying that there is a viable chance that the Carolina Panthers find a trading partner for RB DeAngelo Williams before the deadline Thursday, Nov. 1. Several teams are talking with Carolina, and interest in the rusher is serious. The Panthers are 'absolutely' prepared to take the $9.6 million salary cap hit this year to rid themselves of Williams if they find the right swap. It seems obvious that Williams won't be around in Carolina next year anyway.

Huddle Up: This would be a huge move for the Panthers backfield, thrusting Jonathan Stewart into the primary back role and making Mike Tolbert fantasy-relevant once more. Even if the Panthers do not trade Williams, it is becoming increasingly clear they will go with Stewart more if he is effective. Stewart's value continues to climb with this news; hang onto him if you have him, otherwise see if you can still get him cheaply.

Posted: 10/30/2012 10:52am et

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said the team is not looking to make any trades before the deadline Thursday, Nov. 1. "We've got to sit here and see if somebody does call, but we're not looking to move anybody or send anybody away or try to get anybody out there," Rivera said. "I don't think we have a lot to give in terms of trying to trade for players." RB DeAngelo Williams is a well-known trade commodity at this time.

Huddle Up: With Jonathan Stewart elevated to the feature back role in Carolina, Williams is an obvious target of trade talks. His contract makes him tough to move, but a team looking for running back help would have to be interested in a talented, low mileage player such as Williams.

Posted: 10/29/2012 12:00pm et

The Denver Broncos could be interested in Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams prior to the trade deadline if the price is not too high. Head coach John Fox has coached Williams before, and the team could use another running back for depth; however, if Williams is going to be pricey in terms of compensation and a contract restructuring proves difficult, the Broncos would unlikely be a favorite to land him.

Huddle Up: This has the potential to be a win-win: the Panthers get something for their excess running back depth; the Broncos get an experienced replacement for veteran Willis McGahee; and Williams is reunited with a coach who knows him and will put him to good use. It makes so much sense that of course there's no possible way it will ever happen.

Posted: 10/28/2012 10:26pm et

The Carolina Panthers have received trade inquires about RB DeAngelo Williams and have been willing to listen to offers.

Huddle Up: Hard to believe any team would take on his huge contract, but if the Panthers are willing to eat a large portion of it, they may find a trading partner.

Posted: 10/26/2012 10:22pm et

It is believed that the Carolina Panthers would listen to most any offer for high-priced RB DeAngelo Williams leading up to the NFL trade deadline, which was pushed back to after Week 8.

Huddle Up: Williams seems to be out of favor with the organization, but finding a buyer in a market where RB value is in serious decline may be problematic.

Posted: 10/26/2012 3:25pm et

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said RB Jonathan Stewart will get the start Week 8, but RB DeAngelo Williams will get more playing time in the game than he did Week 7. Rivera said the team not moving completely away from the zone blocking scheme in the running game but would like to use the traditional running scheme more often.

Huddle Up: It was unfortunate that Stewart was not able to capitalize on his playing time last week. Despite being the clear lead back, Stewart logged just seven PPR points. Part of the reason for that was the absurd pass-to-run ratio the Panthers had; Stewart may have been on the field a ton, but they did not give him the rock very often. If they make a concerted effort to run the ball more, it won't matter that DeAngelo Williams will cut into Stewart's playing time.

Posted: 10/22/2012 12:13pm et

Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams appears to be in the doghouse after having just two carries for four yards in Week 7. RB Jonathan Stewart started the game, while FB Mike Tolbert played almost every snap when Stewart wasn't in. Through six games this season, Williams has just 173 yards rushing. When asked about Williams' lack of playing time after the game, head coach Ron Rivera said, "A lot of it had to do with personnel. We trade off based on personnel."

Huddle Up: Bad news for Williams, but maybe now we'll be down to one back carrying the ball in Carolina. The way the Panthers have been running the ball this year--or, more accurately, not running the ball--it may not matter anyway.

Posted: 9/17/2012 12:14am et

Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle) was back in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints after missing the Week 1 loss. He had 11 carries for 51 yards while adding a 17-yard touchdown reception on his only catch of the game. Meanwhile, fellow RBs Mike Tolbert and DeAngelo Williams each posted rushing TDs. Williams led all running backs with 14 totes for 69 yards and the TD, while Tolbert had just three yards on two carries.

Huddle Up: Stewart and his mates were stellar as the Panthers ran through, over and around the Saints, dropping the defending NFC South champions to 0-2. Look for more shared carries and success going forward for the Carolina running game, which also saw QB Cam Newton get back into the rushing act Sunday with 71 yards and a TD on 13 attempts.

Posted: 9/10/2012 12:24pm et

Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams made the start in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he managed just six carries for minus-1 yard. He also had one reception for five yards.

Huddle Up: Utter disaster for Williams, who looked to be one of the better fantasy starts of the week: no Jonathan Stewart to swipe carries, and a Bucs defense that last year was one of the softer in the league against the run. Instead, Carolina got down early and abandon the ground game. If he can't even muster positive yardage under almost ideal circumstances, it will be virtually impossible to trust Williams with a fantasy start the rest of the way.

Posted: 8/14/2012 4:32pm et

Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams said he's happy with his role in the team's crowded backfield this year. He averaged less than 10 carries per game last season, largely due to the presence of RB Jonathan Stewart and surprising rookie QB Cam Newton. Williams' workload could be even less in 2012 with the addition of RB Mike Tolbert.

Huddle Up: When drafting Williams, definitely know what you're getting. Barring an injury to Stewart and/or Tolbert, he'll be mired a timeshare, limiting his upside. Expect Newton's rushing numbers -- particularly his 14 rushing TDs, to fall off a bit this year -- but Tolbert now figures to see some goal-line work.