Fantasy Outlook

Williams enters the final year of his rookie contract and he’s been caught by the 30% rule and will play out the season at roughly $2.1 million which is rather underpaid for a starter. Williams underwent ankle surgery back in February and was hampered later in the season with that and foot injuries. He ended the season with 216 carries for 1117 yards and seven scores and still had a 5.2 yard average. He also added 29 catches for 252 yards. It was a decent showing but far less than the 1515 yards and 18 touchdowns of 2008.

Williams will go against a slightly lighter schedule in 2010 with only a week 16 game in Pittsburgh as a fantasy problem. The emergence of Jonathan Stewart has now prompted the Panthers to use the duo at a 1:1 ratio unlike 2008 when Stewart had 184 carries to 273 for Williams. And Stewart has been nursing a bad foot for two years now. Expect a bounceback year from Williams but the sharing with Stewart will prevent any big stats. This is a running team and will rack up the points. Both Williams and Stewart have fantasy value as starters, but either would become a top stud if the other is injured. Williams is okay with sharing but this is a contract year for him – expect him to play for a much bigger and more fair contract.

Posted: 8/22/2010 12:08pm et

Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams has looked sharp with the work he has seen in the preseason, reports Darin Gantt, of The Charlotte Observer.

Huddle Up: Williams continues to play at a high level and should present fantasy owners with a solid No. 1 running back option after the top runners have left the draft board. Even with fellow running back Jonathan Stewart factoring into the offense, Williams still could provide numbers capable of anchoring your fantasy running back position this season.

Posted: 7/24/2010 11:42pm et

Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle) appears to be fully recovered from the ankle surgery he had during the offseason, reports Darin Gantt, of the Charlotte Observer.

Huddle Up: Williams appears ready to report to camp and seems to be in line for at least a share of the carries with Jonathan Stewart in Carolina once again. With so many teams going to dual back sets, both Stewart and Williams could be nice fantasy contributors in 2010 with what should be a run-heavy offense.

Posted: 5/25/2010 10:46pm et

Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams would like to have a long-term deal with the team, but he understand that is unlikely to happen with the team freezing spending, reports Steve Reed, of CarolinaGrowl.com. Williams said, "My whole thing is I signed a five-year contract here and if the owner doesn't want to re-sign me or do a new deal, that's all him. I'm not going to get upset or anything like that because I knew when I signed my five-year deal that I was committed here for five years, so why put up a fuss?"

Huddle Up: Williams ran well for the Panthers last season and figures to once again be a vital part of the offense in 2010. Fantasy owners should look for the talented running back to split carries with Jonathan Stewart in an offense that could once again feature two 1000-yard rushers.

Posted: 2/28/2010 4:12pm et

Pat Yasinskas, of ESPN.com, reports Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams said he expects to start running in three or four weeks after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. He said he should be able to participate in the offseason workouts.

Huddle Up: Williams battled injuries over the second half of last season, opening the door for Jonathan Stewart to shine. With both Williams and Stewart healthy, the Panthers have one of the top running back combos in the league.

Posted: 2/16/2010 11:34pm et

The Rock Hill Herald, reports Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (foot, ankle) apparently had surgery on something that involved the foot and ankle injury that made him miss the last two games of the season. The surgery does not appear to be serious.

Huddle Up: Williams should be ready to go when training camp begins and could be a huge force for the Panthers running game in 2010. Both he and Jonathan Stewart should once again share carries which makes both runners viable fantasy starters regardless of scoring formats.

Posted: 2/4/2010 11:15pm et

The Charlotte Observer, reports Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams said the ankle injury that affected him at the end of this season is healed.

Huddle Up: Good news for Williams as he appears to be ready to go for next season. Fantasy owners should continue to see a running back share in Carolina but both Williams and Jonathan Stewart should continue to excel in this offense.

Posted: 12/28/2009 12:17pm et

Steve Reed, of CarolinaGrowl.com, reports Carolina Panthers RBs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams have each rushed for 1,000 yards this season. It is the first time in team history the Panthers have had two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season.

Huddle Up: Stewart's numbers have benefitted from Williams missing the last two games with an ankle injury. The Panthers may have a decision to make in the offseason regarding their two-pronged backfield... or they could go into 2010 with one of the better tandems in the NFL.

Posted: 12/26/2009 4:56am et

Steve Reed, of CarolinaGrowl.com, reports Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams did not participate in practice Friday, Dec. 25. He is listed as doubtful for Week 16 and is not expected to play.

Huddle Up: Williams aggravated an ankle injury in last week's win over the Vikings, and after missing practice all week it looks as if the Panthers will be banking on Jonathan Stewart—who himself is listed as questionable—to carry their ground game load this week.

Posted: 12/24/2009 3:42pm et

CarolinaGrowl.com, reports Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 24. He may not play in Week 16.

Huddle Up: If Williams can't go this week, Jonathan Stewart would get most of the carries against the Giants. He has some serious Fantasy upside this week, as New York has given up 18 TDs on the ground.

Posted: 12/21/2009 1:17pm et

The Rock Hill Herald reports Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle) left the team's Week 15 game in the first quarter with a left ankle sprain. Williams missed the team's game two weeks ago with a similar problem, but had practiced all last week with no apparent problems.

Huddle Up: As much as Williams has done for your Fantasy team this season, it's going to be extremely difficult to trust him in the most important game of all. Even if he does play this week against the Giants, he'll probably be quite limited.

Posted: 12/21/2009 11:50am et

CBSSports.com reports Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams was taken to the team's locker room during their Week 15 game with an ankle injury and did not return.

Huddle Up: Williams apparently aggravated the ankle injury that has been bugging him of late. In his place Jonathan Stewart carried 25 times for 109 yards and a touchdown, adding another touchdown on a reception.

Posted: 12/10/2009 3:15pm et

CarolinaGrowl.com reports Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle) fully participated in practice Thursday, Dec. 10. He will be able to start in Week 14.

Huddle Up: It's safe to have Williams back in your lineup. Jonathon Stewart owners, however, probably aren't feeling too jazzed about D-Wills' return.