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RB Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

HT: 5-10, WT: 235, Born: 3-21-1987, College: Oregon, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 13

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: C Johnson (56), D Bowe (57), Jonathan Stewart (58), M Forte (59), T Gonzalez (60)
Position: J Jones (54-RB26), L White (55-RB27), Jonathan Stewart (58 - RB28), M Forte (59-RB29), F Taylor (65-RB30)
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Best Case

Jonathan Stewart is a big, power back who fits the rushing attack that the Panthers have traditionally preferred - smash-mouth football. They have retooled their offensive line by adding some big-bodied veterans and drafting 6-foot-6, 339-pound OT Jeff Otah to go along with Stewart. As Stewart mused after the draft, "I saw that and my reaction was, 'All right, they really want to run the ball now. That's a big guy right there.'" In a best-case scenario, Stewart will be the primary ball carrier in a committee backfield with DeAngelo Williams as the change-of-pace role player. If Stewart can transition to the NFL level quickly during training camp and earn 65-70 percent of the carries this season, he could land among the top-15 fantasy RBs in the land.

Worst Case

Stewart is rehabbing a foot/toe injury and won't participate in the early mini-camps this spring. If he falls behind the learning curve and then struggles to make the transition to the NFL level, he'd come out of the gates slowly during 2008. Veteran DeAngelo Williams is also certainly in the mix in Carolina. If he outperforms Stewart significantly during training camp, Stewart could end up the junior partner of the running back by committee. If Stewart is only a short-yardage option during 2008, he'll almost certainly finish outside of the top-40 fantasy running backs, leaving his owners disappointed.

Outlook

Stewart was considered the most complete running back in the NFL draft by most observers and should prosper in the Carolina scheme. After a few games to get his bearings, Stewart will likely be a marginal RB2 or solid RB3 for fantasy owners in most formats. If he performs well during training camp, he could easily climb up draft boards during August as he has plenty of upside in the Carolina offense.

Relevant Articles

Why he is undervalued

Anthony Borbely - The Panthers sent a strong message by drafting Stewart with the 13th overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. They want to get back to the power running game they had back in the days of Stephen Davis. DeShaun Foster had 247 carries and was 26th in RB scoring in 2007. Stewart should get at least the number of carries Foster did and should be a bargain at RB28.

Bob Magaw - Its probably not a coincidence that the last time CAR had a relevant running attack was when Stephen Davis was in his prime, and Stewart is a Davis clone (but faster). Among the top three rookie RBs in 2007, he may have landed in the best intersection of surrounding talent/opportunity. Using premium picks on the physical specimen and athletic prodigy Stewart (1.12) and mauling, smash-mouth RT Otah (1.19) signals the clear intent of Hurney and Fox to return to a power run game (not DeAngelo Williams strength).

Jason Wood - Stewart's toe injury appears to be hindering his ADP; but it shouldn't. There's no way the Panthers would've used the 13th overall pick on him - particularly when their team doctor performed the surgery, if he wasn't healthy. The addition of road grader OT Jeff Otah cements that Carolina plans on re-establishing a power running attack and that means Stewart is going to see plenty of touches. There's nothing he can't do, and Stewart is better suited than DeAngelo Williams to the power formations John Fox wants to run.

Why he is overvalued

Mike Brown - Stewart is being drafted as if he's the clear-cut starter in Carolina, when in reality there's another runner still in down by the name of DeAngelo Williams. It's much like the case last year when everyone assumed Williams was the starter, only to find out DeShaun Foster was still running the show. Combine that with Stewart's toe surgery in April, and you've got the makings of a potential first-year bust.

Jeff Pasquino - The rookie running back joins Carolina, a place not well known for putting first rounders on the field as feature rushers. Stewart will be splitting time with veteran DeAngelo Williams, another former first round selection. Of course, this will only happen if Stewart is healthy, and that is currently in question as he had corrective surgery for turf toe in March, costing him practice time with his new team.

Jeff Tefertiller - Rookie running backs are difficult to depend on. Jonathan Stewart is a ball carrier that was very effective in college and should enjoy a long, productive career. The issue with the Panthers is that they do not rely on just one back and like to use a committee approach. It has been several years since the Carolina Panthers had a back with 300 carries. This will limit the upside for the rookie from Oregon.

2008 Schedule