Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera says he would like to reduce the carries of starting running back Jonathan Stewart by five or six, and second-year back Cameron Artis-Payne is the player who could do that.
Jonathan Stewart
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 1,028.9 yards, 6.5 touchdowns
Over or under: Even if Stewart loses five or six carries to Artis-Payne and others, I can see him going over on the yards and touchdowns. Remember, he missed three games last season and still rushed for 989 yards and six touchdowns. I know Cam Newton takes away some carries close to the goal line, but if Stewart remains healthy for 16 games he could get close to the 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns he had while sharing the backfield with DeAngelo Williams in 2009. The Panthers return all five starters on an offensive line that has been together for most of the past two seasons. That continuity, and teams keying on Newton as a runner as well as a passer, could open the door for Stewart to have an even bigger year.
Who else could see time: Artis-Payne had only 45 carries for 183 yards and a touchdown last season, but most of that (33 carries, 152 yards) came during the three games Stewart missed. If the fifth-round pick out of Auburn indeed has improved in pass protection, he will get more snaps. And don’t forget fullback/running back Mike Tolbert and Fozzy Whittaker. They will get a handful of carries a game, as well. Tolbert had 62 carries for 256 yards last season. He also could steal some carries from Stewart at the goal line.
