Fantasy Football 2009 Draft: Top 5 Carolina Panthers to Draft

Led by a fierce ground game that saw them ranked third in the NFL in rushing, the 2008 Carolina Panthers finished on top of the NFC South last season with a 12-4 record. With plenty to offer most Fantasy Football owners, the Panther will be looking to continue their success in 2009. Here then are the top 5 Carolina Panthers to go after in a 2009 Fantasy Football Draft.

DeAngelo Williams (RB)
Williams had a career year in 2008, rushing for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns, and topping that performance will be a tall order in 2009. Williams' fantastic 2008 season included 8 games in which he broke the 100 yard mark rushing, and 2 in which he scored 4 touchdowns. Already an elite running back coming into the 2009 season, look for Williams to follow up his career year with rushing numbers in the +1,300 yards, 8-10 TD range. Take him if he is available, though he will most likely be gone by round 2.

Jonathon Stewart (RB)
For a rookie back sharing the backfield with Williams, Stewart posted fantastic numbers racking up 836 yards rushing and 10 TDs. There is little to suggest that Stewart can't improve on those numbers in 2009, especially given that the 235 lbs runner should get a lot of touches in the red zone. Though he's not an elite back yet, Stewart has the potential to become one. Take him as your second back, you won't regret it.

Steve Smith (WR)
A steady producer the last four years, Smith is one of the few "small frame" receivers worth taking high in the draft. Smith is coming off a season which saw him gain 1,421 yards on 78 catches (18.2 yards per catch), and he will most likely come close to putting up similar numbers if he stays injury free. Look for a season in the +85 catches, +1,250 yards range from Smith this year.

John Kasay (K)
John Kasay has been in the league long enough to compile 1,634 points in lifetime, though he has never been as impressive as he was in 2008, when he hit on 28 out of 31 field goals and all 46 of his extra points in route to a 130 point season. What's more, Kasay has shown he has the leg to score from long range, having hit on 36 out of 70 tries from outside the 50 yard range during his career. While Kasay will not get you 130 points again this year, a season in the +115 point range is not out of the question.

Jake Delhomme (QB)
Delhomme has never approached the numbers he put up in 2004-2005, and given the Panthers running attack these days, he will not post particularly fantastic numbers in 2009 either. What you can expect from Delhomme is a season in the 3,200-3,500 yards range and 14-17 TDs. Not the type of numbers that are going to make him a Fantasy Football starter, but ones which will make you a suitable backup.

Statistical Sources:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/car/stats