Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers: How Does Jonathan Stewart Extension Affect NFL Draft?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:21 p.m. ET

Fansided, Raphael Garcia/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

The Carolina Panthers decided to extend Jonathan Stewart through 2018 which impacts the team, the player and LSU running back Leonard Fournette.

The front office for the Carolina Panthers has a strong belief in consistency. During the offseason, the organization has made moves to keep important aspects of both the offense and defense together. On Friday, the team agreed to a one-year extension with running back Jonathan Stewart. This is a move that keeps together a powerful running core while still helping the organization set up for the future with new options at the position.

Stewart enters the 10th year with the Panthers and in the league. Since being drafted in 2008, he's been a part of the successful tandem with DeAngelo Williams, and led the rushing core as the main weapon behind Cam Newton. Even as questions rise about his long-term viability with the team, giving him one additional year with the Panthers is beneficial for all the parties involved.

For Stewart, he has the opportunity to show that he's still able to produce at a high-level. The expectation is that running backs are expected to drop off the radar by this point in their career, but Stewart has bucked that trend. Last season he earned 824 yards with nine touchdowns.

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Other than the injury-riddled 2012 and 2013 seasons, Stewart has remained a model of consistency for the Panthers. He's earned more than 750 yards in every season where he's played at least 13 games. When working next to Newton, Mike Tolbert and a healthy offensive line, the Panthers have one of the strongest running attacks in the league.

The Panthers get some flexibility at both the running back position and with the upcoming NFL Draft. Many experts were looking for the team to select a running back with the eighth pick in the draft. LSU's Leonard Fournette stood out as a strong pick in that position.

This move doesn't mean that the Panthers will completely go away from the choice, but this new deal gives the Panthers some leverage with this move. Cameron Artis-Payne is still on the roster as well and if the Panthers decide to not pick up Fournette because of Stewart's position, he also benefits in the short-term.

Fournette also benefits with this move. If the Panthers were to select him with their pick, he has a very solid veteran to play behind instead of behind thrust into an impact role. There is the negative potential of his draft stock slipping, which is a fear of any player projected to go in that first round. But Fournette is going to add value to any offense, whether it's the Panthers or another team.

With the eighth selection in the draft, Carolina is expected to pick up the best player available on the big board. Using that selection on a running back isn't as expected now that the team has locked Stewart through the 2018 season. With a lot of other needs on both sides of the ball, the Panthers can address a need along the offensive or defensive line or find another use for this important selection.