DeAngelo Williams has a lot of pro-rated money – $9.6 million, all of which would count against the Panthers’ cap if they traded him. Jonathan Stewart’s ankle issues last season showed the value of having two running backs, although there are younger and cheaper alternatives. The Panthers could designate Williams as a June 1 cut, allowing them to split the $9.6 million cap hit over the next two years.
The team may be ready to part ways with Williams, who finished with the 5th-highest FP/touch among RBs with at least 150 touches on the season. If Williams is out of the way, Jonathan Stewart will likely go in the 4th or 5th round of fantasy drafts with Mike Tolbert vulturing goal line carries. The 29-year-old Williams could land elsewhere and be productive. He has a career 4.9 YPC and made some big plays in the passing game in 2012.