DeShaun Foster

Carolina’s ground game really disappointed last year, and while the run blocking wasn’t great, Foster was a big reason why. Once viewed as injury prone, Foster has only missed three games total the last two seasons. However, he only averaged 4.0 YPC with three touchdowns in 2006. On 12 goal-line carries, Foster got an atrocious negative two yards and just two scores. With a younger, more exciting option in DeAngelo Williams breathing down his neck, Foster can only hope for a split in carries at best in 2007. More likely, however, is that he’s phased out of the game plan and watches from the sidelines, as Williams becomes the franchise running back.

Over his final eight games in 2005 (including the postseason) Foster showed again what he’s capable of, gaining 764 yards with a 4.6 YPC. But his most typical performance might have come in the NFC championship game against Seattle when he sat on the sidelines with a broken ankle. Last year’s 15 games and 205 carries were career highs for Foster (not to mention the 879 yards), but until he shows he can stay healthy for anything close to a full season, he should be viewed as nothing more than a late-round, high-upside pick. His upside may not even be what it once was – the drafting of DeAngelo Williams means the first game Foster misses in 2006 could be his last, if Williams steps in and seizes the job. Foster showed no ill effects from the January ankle injury in the team’s spring minicamp, so he should be 100 percent healthy heading into the season.

When healthy, Foster is a quick, explosive back with good size that can run inside or out, break tackles or make defenders miss. But after losing most of his rookie year to left knee problems in 2002, and then breaking his collarbone last season, there are some questions about his durability. And don’t read too much into his big pre-injury numbers while filling in for Stephen Davis last season. Most of that damage was done against the inept Kansas City defense. Foster is expected to make a complete recovery before training camp starts, and he’ll go into the season as the favorite for the Panthers’ starting tailback job – Davis is still a question mark for training camp after undergoing microfracture knee surgery. But bruising 2005-second-round draft pick Eric Shelton should also be in the mix and could take carries from Foster, particularly in short yardage and goal-line situations, if Davis isn’t able to return.

Foster opened eyes during last year’s postseason, breaking off a 33–yard touchdown run in the Super Bowl as well as scoring a touchdown against the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, where he broke four tackles in a never-say-die burst to the end zone. The knee woes of his rookie season seem to be a thing of the past. The presence of the Panthers’ workhorse, Stephen Davis, limits Foster’s chances for immediate impact in 2004, but the third-year back does figure to enter the mix and has the talent to be an outstanding feature back should Davis break down as he did late last season

Foster missed his rookie season after microfracture knee surgery but maintains that he'll be healthy by the beginning of training camp. He's yet to test his knee with heavy planting, and is unlikely to participate in two-a-days. With Stephen Davis in the fold, the Panthers can bring him along slowly when and if he's ready.