Projecting Panthers Double Trouble Fantasy Impact

One of the first fantasy questions I get from fans of other teams looking for fantasy advice is "What do you see the split in carries being between starter DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart" or something to that affect. It's a great question really because the short answer is probably what we saw last year. Last year's split looked like this:

Williams 13 GS; 216 carries for 1,117 yds 7 TDs; 29 recs for 252 rec yds; 3 fumbles lost

Stewart 3 GS; 221 carries for 1,133 yds 10 TDs; 18 rec for 139 rec yds; TD; 2 fumbles lost

Based on these results in 2009 you might think Stewart is the more valuable RB. Yet you have to look deeper at things like carries/game:

Williams 16.6 per game

Stewart 13.8 per game

That works out to about a 55 to 45 split, quite the bane of FFL owners. Lastly consider that Williams started 13 games, Stewart only the last three games due to Williams injury. Stewart proved on those three games that when given the start and majority of carries he can put up nig numbers. 

Last three games: 69 carries for 440 yds (146 per game) 3 TD's.

So let's see what the projections for these two look like...more after the jump...

CBSSports.com is an SB Nation partner and paying sponsor of the SB Nation football communities. 

This post is one of a series of sponsor endorsed posts related to the CBSSports.com Fantasy Football Commissioner League.

Use this link to get 1/2 off the price of a CBSSports.com Commissioner's League, the best FFL application available.

Williams projections per CBS Sports.com:

253 carries for 1,301 and 8 TDs; 27 rec for 189 yds and 1 Rec TD

Total FFL Points: 193 (#8 RB)

Very possible if he remains healthy.

Projections for RB Jonathan Stewart

202 carries fro 927 yds and 9 TD's; 16 rec for 137 yds;

Total FFL Points: 149 (#18 RB)

Here's my take on these projections by CBS Sports.com writers:

So the logic seems to be that if Williams remains healthy then that cuts into Stewart's production. I'm not so sure of that. The Panthers will run the ball more in 2010 because they commit fewer turnovers and sustain drives better. The Panthers will look to protect their young QB a bit in Matt Moore by calling safe plays early in the season. The game plan will also include plenty of double trouble. The offensive line should be healthy (though Otah's knee is a slight concern) and both RB's come in looking fit and ready to pound it.

I'm not so bullish on Williams and so bearish on Stewart:

Jaxon prediction:

Williams 230 carries for 1,210 yds and 7 TD's; 280 rec yds and 2 TDs

Stewart 205 carries for 1,089 yds and 11 TD's; 120 rec yds

Williams is an early 2nd round pick and Stewart a late 2nd round pick, maybe early 3rd.

Thoughts?