The Carolina Panthers are releasing running back DeAngelo Williams this offseason and he could be a target for a number of teams heading into 2015 as a free agent, including the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants.
Williams dealt with injuries in 2014, but he had been healthy for the previous three years and could have a bounce back season in the tank. According to Pro Football Talk, Molly Grantham on Twitter reported that the Panthers are expected to release Williams and designate him as a post-June 1 cut, which will give the team $2 million in salary cap space. Last year Williams played in just six games and Jonathan Stewart was forced to step up and handle the main load along with Mike Tolbert. Williams will be 32 when the 2015 season starts and while that is when most backs start to decline, he could be a solid complementary option for teams.
Williams rushed for just 219 yards last season did not score a touchdown while missing 10 games and that was his lowest output since he played in six games in 2010. Williams missed just one game between 2011-13, but he has not rushed for over 1000 yards since 2009. Williams's best season was back in 2008 when he had 1518 yards and 18 touchdowns while also playing in all 16 games. Williams rushed for at least 1100 yards in back to back seasons and in that span he had 25 touchdowns for Carolina.
The Oakland Raiders were one of the worst rushing teams in the league and heading into the offseason they could focus on bringing in running backs. Signing Maurice Jones-Drew did not work out for the team and Williams could be a cheap option after Darren McFadden hits the market, as he is not expected to return. The Raiders have Latavius Murray, but they may add a veteran to support the young running back. Williams was banged up last season, but he leaves the Panthers after rushing for more than 40 touchdowns and nearly 7000 yards in his career with the team.
The Cleveland Browns ditched Ben Tate this offseason and they could look at Williams as an option to bring in behind Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. The Dolphins have Daniel Thomas and Knowshon Moreno hitting free agency, while the 49ers have Frank Gore hitting the market and could be interested. The Redskins may look at adding a running back behind Alfred Morris, while the Niners may want a backup for Carlos Hyde if they let Gore go. The Giants also could target Williams, as they may want more depth after Rashad Jennings was injured last season.
Williams played his college ball at Memphis and could return home to the Titans, who picked Bishop Sankey last year in the draft and could look at him as a veteran option. The Giants have Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams, but they dealt with injury issues with Jennings and could use another backup for depth. Williams likely will not cost much on the cap and that could help the team add in other areas, including on the offensive line and on defense.