RB Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers

HT: 5-9, WT: 243, Born: 11-23-1985, College: Coastal Carolina, Drafted: ---

2013 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of May 21st. [Full ADP list]

Overall: B Lloyd (192), Mike Tolbert (193), G Tate (195)
Position: D Harris (182-RB64), B Powell (185-RB65), Mike Tolbert (193 - RB66), M Turner (197-RB67), M Gillislee (206-RB68)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

PPR Average draft position

Current as of May 21st. [Full PPR ADP list]

Overall: K Davis (246), Mike Tolbert (248), P Hillis (250)
Position: L Murray (242-RB82), K Davis (246-RB83), Mike Tolbert (248 - RB84), P Hillis (250-RB85), I Redman (260-RB86)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Outlook

Mike Tolbert, who was a valuable role player for the San Diego Chargers before joining the Panthers last year, handled 54/183/7 rushing and 27/268/0 receiving in his first season with Carolina. He is the team's backup to Jonathan Stewart (and perhaps DeAngelo Williams, if Williams sticks with Carolina this year) as well as a powerful goal-line option for the Panthers. During his first year with the Panthers Tolbert had just one less rushing TD than quarterback Cam Newton. He is worth a look in basic-scoring leagues (where only TDs count) or as an emergency bye-week fill-in player. If Tolbert ended up in the starting lineup due to injuries ahead of him in the lineup (given Stewart's history this is not a far-fetched scenario) he'd definitely be worth scooping off the waiver wire in all formats. Stewart owners may wish to roster Tolbert as a backup, depending on how the situation with Williams plays out during the coming preseason.

Latest News

Panthers | Jonathan Stewart very limited (Thu May 23, 02:53 PM) - Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said RB Jonathan Stewart (ankle) was very limited during organized team activities Thursday, May 23.

Our View: Stewart has dealt with foot injuries during his entire pro career. The team will monitor him closely so this injury is not aggravated.
link to story   

2013 Schedule

2012 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Mike Tolbert was utilised in multiple positions - even lining up out wide on occasion – but his most telling contribution was in pass protection and on a screen pass that gained the Panthers over 20 yards. The play stood out because of the good hands Tolbert showed; almost double-catching it, but maintaining his focus and balance. Tolbert will have a part to play in this offense. In a game such as this one, however, with the Bucs dominating time of possession and no Carolina rushing attack to speak of, his impact was limited.

Week 2 - Mike Tolbert got in on the act with a red zone touchdown run, powering his way between the tackles on a hapless Saints defense. Tolbert was explosive and showed good moves on a check down pass that he took for 20 yards as well. However, with the talented runners ahead of him, Tolbert is not worth a start in fantasy leagues unless Williams or Stewart go down to injury.

Week 3 - Mike Tolbert was used as an outlet receiver and a pass blocker in this contest. He looks very comfortable in this offense and looked very good on a throwback screen pass that went for over 10 yards down the left sideline. Tolbert is not a factor in fantasy leagues unless Stewart or Williams goes down to a long-term injury.

Week 4 - Primarily used as a pass protector and a check-down option with the return of Jonathan Stewart to the line-up, Mike Tolbert is nonetheless a valuable asset for the backfield. Tolbert is a capable pass blocker, which in turn takes away from the snap counts of both Williams and Stewart. Tolbert had a couple of short receptions that he turned into 5- or 6-yard gains, but overall his impact was limited. He also dropped a pass over the middle that would have kept a drive alive.

Week 8 - Tolbert did a lot of blocking work and carried the ball a few times, though oddly enough didn’t get used in a ton of short yardage plays. Tolbert’s biggest play was a 15 yard receptions which showed the fullback has some moves in his repertoire. On the play, Tolbert slipped out into the flat and took a short pass from Cam Newton. He then juked not one, not two but three guys and then still gained three more yards after the Bears finally caught up with him. He won’t get much work behind Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, but if something happens to one or both of them, the Panthers have a pretty good running back to get the job done.

Week 13 - Mike Tolbert was utilised as a do-it-all running back for the Panthers in this game. With Stewart absent, Tolbert became the short yardage back and converted on a couple of occasions in obvious running situations, maintaining his balance impressively on a 10-yard run between the tackles. He was a valuable asset in the passing game for Newton, proving a reliable check-down in the flat and rumbling for several yards after the catch.

Week 14 - Mike Tolbert alternated with DeAngelo Williams to provide some power and punch to the Panthers’ rushing attack. Tolbert was outstanding in short yardage situations, converting with aplomb by punishing tacklers for yardage after first contact. He also showcased some good quickness on a couple of check down passes, making defenders miss in tight areas.

Week 15 - Tolbert, a former Charger, greatly enjoyed his homecoming visit to San Diego. With Jonathan Stewart still sidelined by injury, Tolbert picked up all of the short yardage work. Fortunately for him, there was a decent amount of it in this game. Despite seeing only 11 touches in the entire game, Tolbert scored on a pair of 1-yard touchdowns within the first ten minutes of the game. He used his low and wide frame to bowl over defenders. He very nearly scored on a pass play, but QB Cam Newton had the ball knocked down at the line. Fortunately for Tolbert, he was given the handoff inside the 5-yard line and converted the score. He dove from just inside the 3-yard line and went soaring over the pile while stretching the ball over the goal line for his first touchdown. The second score was much easier, as he simply walked in off of the left tackle for the touchdown. He pushed the pile to bowl over defenders and convert yet another third down on a second half run, but was later seen stretching his calf on the sideline after the play. He would return the game soon after showing no ill effects.

Week 16 - Mike Tolbert spelled DeAngelo Williams to good effect, bulling through defenders, often on draw plays, as the Panthers relied on the ground game to kill off the Oakland challenge.

Week 17 - Mike Tolbert, a fixture of the offense since Jonathan Stewart’s injury, proved his worth once again with three short yardage touchdown runs. Tolbert ran with his typical no-nonsense style, and even contributed with a catch in the flat that he turned into a 15-yard gain after bulling over a Saints would-be tackler. How Carolina use Tolbert going forward will be intriguing.