RB Jonathan Stewart, CAR

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2009 Outlook: Sleeper (undervalued)

Stewart (Carolina's 1st round selection, 13th overall in 2008) recovered from toe surgery and dazzled fantasy owners in the pre-season, battling DeAngelo Williams for the featured role in the Panthers' backfield. Fantasy owners (including myself) who selected Stewart last year believed they would be getting a stud RB for a mid round price. Fantasy owners were right about a stud RB emerging from behind the gaping holes Carolina's rebuilt offensive line would create, however it was fellow backfield mate DeAngelo Williams --not Stewart -- who broke out in 2008. Williams' exceptional season relegated Jonathan Stewart to a complementary role in the Panthers RBBC in 2008, however he showed major flashes of potential and posted solid fantasy numbers rushing for 836 yards and 10 TD's on just 184 carries last season. With DeAngelo Williams likely to leave Carolina via free agency next season, the Panthers would like to groom both Stewart and rookie Mike Goodson to be their featured backs for the future. With this in mind, Stewart will likely see an increase in carries in 2009, but unless Williams gets hurt, Stewart shouldn't be counted on as anything more than a #3 RB in fantasy football. Expecting 1,000 yards and 12 TD's is reasonable from Stewart in 2009.

Update 8/21

Stewart has missed six straight days of practice, and also missed Carolina's pre-season opener against the New York Giants on Monday Night. Decori Birmingham will see an increase in carries while both Stewart and rookie Mike Goodson deal with injuries.

Stewart's teammate DeAngelo Williams said he expects that his backfield mate will be ready to go in time for the season opener. "Worried? Why?," Williams told the Gaston Gazette. "What's the difference between last year and this year? I think he played in like one, maybe two preseason games last year. It's the regular season that we're worried about. It doesn't bother me at all. I know he's going to be healthy and ready to go."

DeAngelo Williams may not be concerned about Jonathan Stewart, but fantasy owners should be; Stewart has the potential to be one of the biggest sleeper breakout candidates in fantasy football this season, but unless he can prove that he can stay healthy he is a major question mark for fantasy owners. At this point it is difficult to draft Stewart with the intention of him being a #2 RB because he can't stay healthy. If Stewart gets on the field before the start of the season, then all concerns are erased in my mind. High risk / high reward; in the end, Stewart will likely be worth the risk on draft day.

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