David Johnson should be one of the most exciting players to watch in 2016.
In 2015, Arizona Cardinals coach eased in the third round pick out of Northern Iowa as a backup to Andre Ellington and Chris Johnson. David Johnson saw success with limited reps in the first half of the season, scoring a combined 7 TDs through the air, on the ground and on a 108-yard kickoff return. After scoring 3 TDs on his first five NFL touches, it was obvious that it would be hard to keep his electric playmaking ability off the field.
When both Ellington and Chris Johnson went down with injuries in Week 12, Johnson had his chance to shine as the bell cow of the Cardinals’ backfield. Johnson helped drive the Cardinals offense through the last quarter of the season, ending the year with 581 yards and 8 TDs rushing and another 457 yards and 4 TDs receiving.
Despite his explosive play, David Johnson spent much of his rookie year behind the other Arizona running backs and in the shadow of fellow rookie Todd Gurley III. The Todd Gurley highlight reel started in week 4 and didn’t stop until 1106 yards and 10 TDs later. Gurley was the unquestioned workhorse for a Rams team that lacked much else on the offensive side of the ball.
We asked our fans who they liked to follow up a great first year with a strong second year and here is what they said:
Which 2015 non-QB rookie will follow up their solid play last season with the strongest sophomore year? #NFL
— Best NFL Polls (@Best_NFL_Polls) May 16, 2016
While Gurley is the most obvious choice for a strong sophomore year, it is hard to overlook David Johnson’s talent and potential on a Cardinals team loaded with firepower on both offense and defense. In a league that has become so passing oriented, it will be refreshing to watch what both young backs can do in a full season as starters. With his versatility, I expect David Johnson to produce at a high level in both the running and passing game as he comes into the year as the unquestioned workhorse of the Cardinals’ offense.
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