Backfield Breakdown: Arizona Cardinals: Is David Johnson Worthy Of A Top 10 Pick?

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

The days of a true workhorse running back appear to be a thing of the past, complicating decisions for fantasy owners.  In some cases we know who the “lead” back is going to be, or there are obvious defined roles, but that’s not always the case.  That’s why we are going to go around the league, checking in on each situation, to try and shed some light on who fantasy owners should be targeting.

Let’s kick things off in Arizona, where they have three running backs who could produce this season.  Who appears primed to get the bulk of the work?  Will it be the veteran, the youngster or the potentially dynamic?  Let’s take a look:

David Johnson
The 2015 third round pick got forced into a significant role in December, after just 35 carries over the first three months of the season, and he ran with the opportunity.  Over 7 games (including the playoffs), he amassed 120 carries for 537 yards (4.48 yards per carry) and 5 TD.  Among qualified running backs that average yards per carry would’ve placed him in the Top 20 of the league.

Just to make things even more appealing, he added 32 catches for 327 yards and 1 TD over this stretch.  Given the depth the team has it’s impossible to imagine him maintaining these types of numbers, but he would appear to be in line to operate as the top back for the Cardinals.

The Arizona hierarchy has certainly been gushing about Johnson this offseason.  Check out this quote from head coach Bruce Arians, courtesy of Chris Wesseling of NFL.com:

“I can’t say after one year’s work that he is one of the best,” Arians offered, “but he’s got a chance to be one of the all-time best.”

He has size (6’1”, 224 lbs.) and speed, and in a different era that could mean even more touches and opportunities.  While he’s not going to get all of the carries (they are going to want to make sure he can stay healthy for all 16 games), he should be the leader and has the chance to be a Top 5 RB (and is a possible first round selection).

Chris Johnson
The veteran suddenly looked like he had something left in the tank last season, with 814 yards and 3 TD on 196 carries.  Of course he’ll also be 31-years old in September and has never been the same player that he was over his first two seasons.  While he should carve out a role, as the team attempts to keep David Johnson healthy, the number of touches are going to be severely limited (especially as he doesn’t profile as a factor catching the football out of the backfield).

Andre Ellington
There was a time that it appeared like Ellington was going to be one of the elite running backs in the game, but injuries continue to plague him.  At his size (5’9”) he appears to be primed to work as a change-of-pace/receiving back.  It’s a role he could excel in (100 receptions in 37 career games), making him an ideal fit as a late round flier for those in PPR formats.  That said, he’s certainly not a player you want to count on as a starter or one of your primary backups.

Sources – ESPN, NFL.com

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