Fantasy Upside
Jonathan Stewart put up 824 yards on 3.8 yards per carry last season for a disappointing Panthers team. He also scored nine touchdowns, becoming a primary short-yardage runner for Carolina with quarterback Cam Newton running less and fullback Mike Tolbert being reduced to a limited role in the offense. Stewart should remain the lead back and get at least a dozen carries per game. With Tolbert now a Bill, and reports of the Panthers continuing to limit Newton’s exposure, Stewart's chances of duplicating his touchdown production from last season are high.
Fantasy Downside
Stewart has never been the most durable back, and he's entering his age-30 season. While Cam Newton’s presence in the run game might decrease with time, the dual-threat quarterback will still take away opportunities from Stewart. Most concerning is the fact the Panthers used the eighth pick in the draft on versatile back Christian McCaffrey, who will not only take away carries but might completely eliminate Stewart’s activity in the passing game completely. An effective receiver out of the backfield early in his career, Stewart’s targets have dropped steadily over the past three seasons and he had only eight receptions in 2016.
2017 Bottom Line
With a history of injuries and a diminishing role in the offense, Stewart offers very little in upside for fantasy owners. His ADP is right around the ninth or tenth round, however, which makes him a viable backup option for owners looking for a third back. If he continues to get over a dozen carries per game, even as a two-down back, Stewart will have value as a plug-and-play starter in most leagues, especially in standard scoring formats.