Continuing with our Favourite Four series, currently on running backs, we look at the third player on our list.

We reiterate that these are some of our favourite players. We can’t vouch that these will be the best players in absolute terms, have the biggest fantasy football upside or even be any good (though they might be)… but they’re players that we like to watch.

DeAngelo Williams of the Carolina Panthers gets the call this week.

Williams holds a host of college records, including the most all-purpose yards in NCAA history and was strongly thought of heading into the 2006 draft. However, in a class that held Reggie Bush, LenDale White and Joseph Addai (among others) he fell to 27th in the first round where he was snapped up by the Panthers.

Williams escapes Ronde Barber

Williams escapes Ronde Barber

The Panthers had DeShaun Foster in place, so Williams was able to find his NFL-footing backing up the incumbent. In early 2008, Foster was released and Williams won the starting position against that year’s pick Jonathan Stewart. From there, he grew and grew.

In 2008, his carries almost doubled from 2007 and his yards per carry rose from an already impressive 5.0 to 5.5 yards per carry. He finished out the season with over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. More than that, he established a formidable partnership with Stewart, who also put up over 800 yards and 10 TDs. This was the running back duo of last season, and they’ll be looking to build on that in the 2009 NFL Season.

I’d been keeping an eye on him all season, interested to see how he’d cope not just as the starter but with a highly rated rookie behind him. He didn’t disappoint at all, and as the season went on he got better and better. In week 15, he blasted through the Broncos line for a 56 yard sprint for a touchdown. He started off heading left, then came back and was gone. The speed was amazing for that time of the season.

But his most impressive stat of all: no fumbles in 2008. In fact, in over 500 carries in his NFL career so far he’s only fumbled twice, and lost the ball once. That’s the stuff of dreams for a coach.

I fancy the Panthers this year to win the NFC South, and Williams will be a big part of that. If he’s healthy, then he’ll beat Foster’s mark to become the all-time Panthers rushing leader. There are a number of factors in which games I’ll watch each week, but the Panthers’ running game in general, and DeAngelo Williams in particular, makes me want to watch them.

Previous Favourite Running Backs
Steve Slaton
Ronnie Brown