Proving doubters wrong hardly forms the basis for a unique story in the NFL, but it's a theme that definitely resonates with fans and collectors. Running back DeAngelo Williams has been authoring that kind of story in Carolina, and it's got the potential to be a good one.
Born in Arkansas, Williams played his college ball a little under the radar at Memphis, a school not known as a football powerhouse. Thus, it wasn't too surprising that he wasn't a household name entering the 2006 NFL Draft despite ranking fourth all-time among NCAA rushers and owning the records for most career all-purpose yards and most 100-yard rushing games.
Some pro scouts looked at his 5-foot-9 measured height and dismissed him as a featured NFL back, though they liked his receiving skills out of the backfield. The Panthers liked him enough to take him 27thg overall, figuring at worst he could be a third-down back and a change of pace to DeShaun Foster.
That's exactly the role he played in his first two seasons, when he also struggled with injuries. In 2008, though, Williams became the starter and immediately blossomed, racking up over 1100 yards and 13 touchdowns through 13 weeks. He gashed Green Bay for four touchdowns on Nov. 30 and lit up Tampa Bay the following Monday to the tune of 186 yards.
With bruising Jonathan Stewart carrying some of the load and preventing Williams from unnecessary wear, Williams is in the perfect situation to catapult himself to stardom. Collectors wanting to get on board for the ride should note that some of his 2006 rookie cards have smaller print runs than some of his contemporaries, like his SP Authentic # 232 and his Upper Deck Rookie Debut # 218.
2006 DeAngelo Williams Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 277 - jersey card #'d to 849
- Bowman # 117
- Bowman Chrome # 228
- Bowman Sterling # DW - jersey card
- Donruss Classics # 115 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Elite # 133 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Gridiron Gear # 205 - jersey card #'d to 50
- Donruss Threads # 244 - autographed, #'d to 160
- Exquisite Collection # 103 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Finest # 157 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Flair Showcase # 228 - #'d to 199
- Fleer # 128
- Hot Prospects # 197 - autographed, #'d to 175
- Leaf Certified Materials # 227 - jersey card #'d to 550
- Leaf Limited # 261 - autographed jersey card #'d to 100
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 255 - jersey card #'d to 599
- Playoff Contenders # 118 - autographed
- Playoff National Treasures # 122 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Playoff NFL Playoffs # 75
- Playoff Prestige # 178
- Score # 334
- Select # 334 - #'d to 599
- SP Authentic # 232 - autographed jersey card #'d to 175
- SPx # 182 - autographed jersey card #'d to 399
- Sweet Spot # 204 - autographed, #'d to 299
- Topps # 361
- Topps Chrome # 228
- Topps Draft Picks and Prospects # 168 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Topps Heritage # 300
- Topps Paradigm # 99 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Topps Total # 451
- Topps Triple Threads # 107 autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Topps Turkey Red # 189 - SP
- Ultimate Collection # 202 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Ultra # 205 - #'d to 500
- Upper Deck # 206
- Upper Deck Legends # 128 - #'d to 750
- Upper Deck Rookie Debut # 218 - autographed w/ announced print run of 25