Fantasy Upside
After 10 years and 51 rushing touchdowns with the Panthers, Jonathan Stewart joins a Giants team that has struggled running the ball consistently ever since Tiki Barber’s prime years. Stewart has no shot at the starting job with first-round rookie Saquon Barkley in the fold, but he should play a traditional backup role. Should Barkley go down with an injury, Stewart could get a dozen carries per game, which would put him in borderline RB2 territory, particularly in standard league formats.
Fantasy Downside
Stewart is 31 years old, has a history of injuries, and only averaged 3.4 yards per carry last season. He’s lost the burst that made him dangerous early in his career, and he has no shot of competing for a starting job. He also may be challenged for backup and change-of-pace touches from Wayne Gallman, who showed flashes last year.
2018 Bottom Line
Stewart probably shouldn’t be drafted in most leagues as anything more than a handcuff on a team with a deep bench. Even if an injury forces him into a full workload, expect more of a committee approach with Gallman, and the Giants passing attack to do the heavy lifting.
Wild Card Round at New Orleans Saints
Jonathan Stewart sat out the last game of the season, and he may be a little banged up against the Saints this week. However, assuming he plays as expected, he should be in for a healthy workload, at least on first and second down. Stewart hasn’t put up big numbers this year, but averaging 13.2 carries per game makes him a viable fantasy option.
The Saints were above-average against the run this season, and Stewart has limited upside because he doesn’t do much in the passing game anymore. However, if you need a low-cost, deep option in standard league formats, then Stewart has some value.
Week 17 at Atlanta Falcons
Jonathan Stewart struggled last week against the Bucs, along with the rest of the Panthers offense, and he finished with only 19 yards on 7 carries. Stewart has been a high-floor option in standard leagues for much of the season, but with Christian McCaffrey getting the bulk of the touches lately and the Falcons allowing only 6 rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs this year, he should probably be on the bench this week.
Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jonathan Stewart was back to his paltry average last week, putting up only 27 yards on 11 carries. Stewart has found space at times this season, but has struggled for much of the year. He continues to get double-digit carries each week though, giving him value.
The Bucs just gave up 126 yards on 22 carries to Devonta Freeman last week, so Stewart has a chance to deliver. He’ll continue to get two-down work, giving him a high floor in standard league formats.
Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers
Jonathan Stewart had a huge day against the Vikings last week, rushing for 103 yards and 3 touchdowns on 16 carries. Much of that was due to a 60-yard touchdown early in the game, but it was good to see Stewart back above the century mark for only the second time this season.
The Packers have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this year, but only seven rushing touchdowns to the position. Stewart has been disappointing for much of the season, so fantasy owners might want to remain cautious, but he has some upside due to the number of carries he’s likely to get. He should be considered a high-floor option in deep standard leagues.
Week 14 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Jonathan Stewart had only 45 yards on 11 carries last week against the Saints, but he scored another touchdown, his third in his last five games. Stewart remains the primary two-down option in the Panthers backfield, giving him some potential in standard and in touchdown-only leagues, but his lack of work in the passing game and his 3.2 yards-per-carry average this season make him tough to trust in most leagues.
Week 13 at New Orleans Saints
Jonathan Stewart had a touchdown last week against the Jets, but he only averaged 1.7 yards per carry, and finished with 26 yards. More concerning is that Christian McCaffrey has out-snapped him 95 to 52 over the past two games.
Stewart did get 15 carries, and he has some value in standard leagues because he continues to get two-down work. However, he’s very touchdown dependent and will face a Saints team that has allowed only 4 rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs this year. Stewart is a desperation option only.
Week 12 at New York Jets
Jonathan Stewart had a nice game against the Dolphins before the bye last week, putting up 110 yards on 17 carries. While Stewart should continue to get considerable touches each game on first and second downs, his season average of 3.3 yards per carry makes him hard to get excited about in most fantasy leagues. He has some low-end RB3 potential in standard league formats because of his workload, but he’s probably better left on your bench in most weeks.
Week 10 vs. Miami Dolphins
Jonathan Stewart had a rough game against the Falcons last week, averaging only 1.9 yards on 11 carries, and fumbling twice. Stewart continues to get touches, but his effectiveness has been off all season, and he’s averaging only 2.9 yards per carry on the season.
The Dolphins are seventh in the league in rushing yards allowed per game this season. While it’s possible the Panthers get up on the struggling Dolphins early, and Stewart gets a lot of carries as a result, it’s more likely Stewart ends up with his usual middling totals and winds up with around 30-40 yards. He’s a borderline option in deep, standard leagues, but most fantasy owners probably are considering whether he deserves a roster spot.
Week 9 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Jonathan Stewart had only 34 yards on 11 carries last week against the Bucs, but he also scored a touchdown. While he hasn’t been terribly productive, he is still averaging 13.75 carries per game on the season, making him a high-floor depth option, especially in standard leagues.
This week, Stewart faces an Atlanta run defense that has only allowed 2 rushing touchdowns all year. He’ll get his touches, but expect another 40-60 yard outing with an outside chance at a touchdown—low-end RB2 numbers in larger standard formats.
