With the twenty-seventh pick in the NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected running back DeAngelo Williams of Memphis. The Panthers wasted no time in making the pick, and have to be thrilled. Williams was believed to be the second-best runner in the draft, but was taken after Laurence Maroney. Williams will join DeShaun Foster as the second runner for the Panthers.

Scouting Information on Williams: DeAngelo Williams probably could have been a first-round pick in the 2005 draft, but he chose to stay at Memphis for his senior season. He was outstanding in his final college year and did nothing to hurt his chances at making it big in the NFL.

Williams has a good enough body to be an NFL running back, but it's his speed that is impressing everyone. On top of his speed, Williams can be a very tough and hard runner inside, despite his size. He has no problems in picking up a blitz and can catch the ball very well. Williams has all of the features that a team would want a franchise running back to have. If there's one concern about Williams though, it would be his history full of injuries. Williams missed at least one game per season at Memphis with a leg-related injury. He has a good overall character and is known as a hard worker.

Williams would've been a first-round pick last year, and he's still going to be a first-round pick this year. He could go before or after RB LenDale White, meaning he'll probably be the second or third running back taken. It will depend on whether or not a team prefers a power-running back in White, or the more elusive player in Williams.