Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

July 2, 2010 @ 09:00:00

By Ryan R. Bonini
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Jonathan Stewart | Carolina Panthers | 5-foot-10, 235 pounds | 3rd year

2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics

Run Att		Run Yds		Run TD		Rec		Rec Yds		Rec TD		Tot TD
Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi	Lo	Hi
192	232	879	1029	7	9	9	15	78	130	0	2	7	11

Pros: It isn't often you can say a team's No. 2 back is coming off a 1,100-yard outing, but Stewart falls into that category. Simply put, the Panthers love to run and have two talented backs to work with. Carolina averaged 32.8 rushing attempts - second only to the New York Jets - last year, and with Matt Moore taking over at quarterback, they're likely to increase on that number this year. Stewart grew across the board last year, setting new career highs in rushing attempts (221), yardage (1,133), average yards per carry (5.1), receptions (18), receiving yards (139) and receiving touchdowns (1). Even with the timeshare, he had 11 games with double-digit attempts. With DeAngelo Williams injured, Stewart showed he could dominate as a feature back, too. He closed the year strong with three touchdowns and three consecutive 100-yard games, including a 206-yard outing.

Cons: Regardless of how talented Stewart is, he is still second fiddle to Williams. Timeshares can stink for consistency in fantasy football. In five games last year, Stewart had fewer than 10 rushing attempts. While Moore played well and threw eight touchdown passes over the last month of '09, defenses may key on the ground game until Moore forces them to respect him. Stewart, while he hasn't missed any games, is constantly battling nagging injuries. He had offseason surgery to remove a bone spur from pressing into an Achilles' tendon but is expected to be ready for training camp.

Fantasy tip: Ideally, Stewart would be the No. 3 fantasy football back on your roster, because there will be games he simply doesn't see the touches of a No. 1 or No. 2. However, he is being selected in the third round, on average, so if you snag him make sure you take a third fantasy back capable of posting No. 2-caliber numbers. Stewart's production over the course of the year is attractive, but on a week-to-week basis it can be maddening.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

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1

RICK, at 01:52 on 07/02/10, says: Don't be fooled by falling in the trap of assuming just because Matt Moore will be starting now means the Panthers will throw the ball less than they did last season. The fact is, the opposite is true. The only reason Moore is there is because of his accuracy and ability to get rid of the ball without making turnovers. Moore is there is extremely accurate (actually ranking 6th in qb rankings during his brief tenure during the end of last season)...Please understand that Jake Delhomme was where the passing game got out of hand for Carolina. He tossed 18 ints and 8 tds before being pulled due to a broken finger. WEll before he was injured the forward pass was all but removed from Jake's playbook. So, if you thought the passing may fall off some...well there is almost no way possible for that to happen in 2010. As a matter of fact the Panthers put a huge emphasis, in OTA's, on the passing. They even ran multiple 4 wr sets (something that just does not happen in Charlotte)... Now the Panthers will look to establish their run game early, then draw in the coverage, then exploit their opponents in the air. Another reason you can feel good about the Panthers moving to the pass more often is the fact the Panthers have an overwhelming, 11 wide receivers and 4 tight ends currently on their payroll. Now many of these players will be released but there are a few very credible wideouts who have a real chance to be a true number 2 to Steve Smith and according to first glance the Panthers receiving corps, though young and inexperienced, looks to be the fastest and sharpest crew the Panthers have had since 2003. The key is finding a number 2 for Smith. If this happens and defenses have to make a decision of not double teaming Smith with a safety over the top because there are two speedsters who can blow them away on the other side. The Panthers may just be a pretty solid team through the air.

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Ryan R. Bonini

Founding KFFL in 1996, Bonini serves as KFFL's General Manager and VP of technology for KFFL's parent company, USA TODAY SPORTS Media Group. Bonini was named the 2009 Fantasy Football Writer of the Year by the FSWA and received honors with the Best Fantasy Football Series in '10, making him the first two-time FSWA football award winner.

His work has been found in USA Today, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, NFL.com, and many others. He has also been featured on numerous radio programs around the country. Bonini is a member of the PFWA, FSWA and FSTA.

Follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanbonini

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