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The future prospects of any NFL running back are precarious at best, and that’s probably why the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to sign former Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams.
In nine years with the Panthers, Williams compiled 6,846 rushing yards, 46 touchdowns, and 1,621 yards receiving. Pittsburgh won’t be asking for this kind of production in making Williams their No. 2 back behind Le’Veon Bell, but the Steelers should like the change of pace the 5-foot-9 Williams could provide in place of the 6-foot-1 Bell.
Any additional carries on the shoulders of Williams will come off the back of Bell, and this means Bell could be more explosive toward the end of the year. If you recall, a big part of the Steelers’ early playoff exit last season was the declining prowess from Pittsburgh’s No. 1 back. After releasing LeGarrette Blount after Week 11 of the 2014 season, it was Bell that felt most of the sting, and the Steelers who ultimately couldn’t escape the effect.
The year of 2014 was by far the worst season in Williams’ career, a year in which the Panthers’ running back was only present for six games. But in seven of the eight seasons before that, Williams was a serviceable back present in 94 percent of Carolina’s games. Anything that touches this measure of reliability will spell windfall for the Steelers.
If continued to be hampered by injury, Williams obviously won’t be worth the signing. But this is the gambling involved in free agency, a practice that always comes with a cost.
Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Jerry on Twitter at @Jerry2Landry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.
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