NFL contracts are hardly cast in stone and running backs even more so. But it looks like Jonathan Stewart can at least count on being Carolina's lead back in 2017, regardless of what happens in the NFL Draft.
Carolina has been connected to the draft's top running backs, including Leonard Fournette. And that could still happen. But any back Carolina might select would probably be limited to No. 2 duties behind Stewart, after Stewart agreed to a contract extension which locks him up through the 2018 season.
Stewart has been productive when on the field, averaging over 900 rushing yards and scoring 16 TDs the last two seasons. He's not a part of the passing game, but seems a good bet to lead the team in yards and touchdowns.
That being said, Carolina should -- probably will -- look to add to their backfield in the draft. For one thing, durability has long been an issue for Stewart. Five years in a row, he's missed at least three games.
And Stewart also wasn't tremendously efficient in 2016. Among backs with at least 100 attempts, his 3.8 yards per carry was one of the lower figures in the league. Few of the running backs worse than him last year will be starters next season (some of them don't have jobs).
The table below shows those backs with 100-plus attempts, sorted by yards per carry. Worse than Stewart are primarily committee backs (Jacksonville/Minnesota), veterans who had poor seasons and were either released (Rashad Jennings) or likely on a short leash (Doug Martin), or disappointing rookies (Devontae Booker).
Stewart will probably be the Week 1 starter in Carolina, but it will be interesting to see how early Carolina drafts somebody to at least get a piece of the workload.
| RUNNING BACKS WITH 100-PLUS ATTEMPTS, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
| Mike Gillislee, Buff. | 101 | 577 | 5.7 | 8 |
| Bilal Powell, NYJ | 131 | 722 | 5.5 | 3 |
| LeSean McCoy, Buff. | 234 | 1267 | 5.4 | 13 |
| Jordan Howard, Chi. | 252 | 1313 | 5.2 | 6 |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 322 | 1631 | 5.1 | 15 |
| Mark Ingram, N.O. | 205 | 1043 | 5.1 | 6 |
| LeVeon Bell, Pitt. | 261 | 1268 | 4.9 | 7 |
| Jay Ajayi, Mia. | 260 | 1272 | 4.9 | 8 |
| Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 227 | 1079 | 4.8 | 11 |
| Isaiah Crowell, Clev. | 198 | 952 | 4.8 | 7 |
| Carlos Hyde, S.F. | 217 | 988 | 4.6 | 6 |
| Derrick Henry, Tenn. | 110 | 490 | 4.5 | 5 |
| DeMarco Murray, Tenn. | 293 | 1287 | 4.4 | 9 |
| Tevin Coleman, Atl. | 118 | 520 | 4.4 | 8 |
| Spencer Ware, K.C. | 214 | 921 | 4.3 | 3 |
| Ryan Mathews, Phil. | 155 | 661 | 4.3 | 8 |
| Jacquizz Rodgers, T.B. | 129 | 560 | 4.3 | 2 |
| David Johnson, Ariz. | 293 | 1239 | 4.2 | 16 |
| Rob Kelley, Wash. | 168 | 704 | 4.2 | 6 |
| Alfred Blue, Hou. | 100 | 420 | 4.2 | 1 |
| Tim Hightower, N.O. | 133 | 548 | 4.1 | 4 |
| Paul Perkins, NYG | 112 | 456 | 4.1 | 0 |
| Lamar Miller, Hou. | 268 | 1073 | 4.0 | 5 |
| Latavius Murray, Oak. | 195 | 788 | 4.0 | 12 |
| Terrance West, Balt. | 193 | 774 | 4.0 | 5 |
| C.J. Anderson, Den. | 110 | 437 | 4.0 | 4 |
| LeGarrette Blount, N.E. | 299 | 1161 | 3.9 | 18 |
| Frank Gore, Ind. | 263 | 1025 | 3.9 | 4 |
| Melvin Gordon, S.D. | 254 | 997 | 3.9 | 10 |
| Jeremy Hill, Cin. | 222 | 839 | 3.8 | 9 |
| Jonathan Stewart, Car. | 218 | 824 | 3.8 | 9 |
| Chris Ivory, Jax. | 117 | 439 | 3.8 | 3 |
| Matt Forte, NYJ | 218 | 813 | 3.7 | 7 |
| T.J. Yeldon, Jax. | 130 | 465 | 3.6 | 1 |
| Devontae Booker, Den. | 174 | 612 | 3.5 | 4 |
| Jerick McKinnon, Minn. | 159 | 539 | 3.4 | 2 |
| Rashad Jennings, NYG. | 181 | 593 | 3.3 | 3 |
| Matt Asiata, Minn. | 121 | 402 | 3.3 | 6 |
| Todd Gurley, LAR | 278 | 885 | 3.2 | 6 |
| Thomas Rawls, Sea. | 109 | 349 | 3.2 | 3 |
| Doug Martin, T.B. | 144 | 421 | 2.9 | 3 |
--Andy Richardson