by John U. Miller IV
My buddy ‘thaas’ on the Forums asked me what I thought about DeAngelo Williams. I think he’s a monster.
DeAngelo has that combination of a low center of gravity with amazing spin-cycle balance that makes it so hard to tackle him. Barry Sanders had it and Maurice Jones-Drew has it. DeAngelo has also gained 7 or 8 pounds of pure muscle since he was at Memphis — but hasn’t lost any speed. In fact, it seems like he’s in Matrix mode with defenders moving in slow motion.
But where does he go in fantasy drafts next year? Good question. It’s too early to tell but I’m guessing D.W. lands at around #11 or #12 overall, on the turn in 12-team leagues. Those picking at 1-2-3-4-5 will gobble up the more traditional workhorse backs – Peterson, Turner, Forte, Westbrook, maybe Lynch depending on offseason buzz. Then those picking in the middle of the 1st round will look at Tomlinson (he’ll fall to at least 6th), Thomas Jones, Chris Johnson, maybe even QB Drew Brees or WR Andre Johnson. Even though D.W. will lead the league in TDs in 2008, he will slip down the 1st round because everyone will say, “I’m worried about Jonathan Stewart.”
Don’t be afraid of Stewart. It’s the new age in RB deployment, where many teams are playing thunder-and-lightning in order to wear down defenses. Teams like Carolina, Baltimore, Tennessee, and Minnesota are running it 30, maybe 35 times per game. There’s plenty to go around. Toss in a few dump passes or screens and even a lead “platoon” back can amass 18-20 touches easily. Williams is the starter, and he’s going to stay in when he’s rolling. Side note: Rookie RT Jeff Otah is looking like a once-in-a-decade pick too.
Besides, how many 370-carry bell cows are left these days? Almost every stud RB you pick will have that “I’m worried about” guy behind him. Look, only 5 guys are projected to go over 300 carries this year – Peterson, Turner, Forte, Portis and Grant. Thomas Jones is right on pace for 300 too. In 2003 there were 13 RBs over 300 carries. Coaches have seen what massive workloads did to guys like Tomlinson or Larry Johnson. Defenders are too big and too physical now, and the hits cumulatively reduce a back’s effectiveness. Teams are losing on their big-money RB investments. Don’t you bet Jerry Jones wants a do-over on Marion Barber’s $45 million contract?
Not only is DeAngelo Williams going to stay fresh with Stewart in the mix, he’s less likely to get smacked anyway because his pads are so low.
I thought he was the best player in college football at Memphis. Many don’t realize that DeAngelo is currently the NCAA Division I-A all-time leader with 7,573 all-purpose yards. Think about that.
He’s a monster.
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