NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Arizona Cardinals: David Johnson should be locked in as No. 1 RB

By Kevin Parvizi

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) against the Minnesota Vikings at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) against the Minnesota Vikings at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Arizona Cardinals have arguably the most exciting offense in the NFL, and while their loaded passing game is at the heart of this, running back David Johnson has “future superstar” buzz surrounding him this offseason.

Related Story: Are the Cardinals ready to win the Super Bowl?

Perplexing, however, is the way Chris Johnson is stealing some of that thunder from David Johnson. Although the talk of CJ?K stealing a significant amount of the workload from the second-year Northern Iowa product is minimal, it was brought up in eyebrow-raising fashion by someone who covers the Arizona Cardinals.

Beat writer Josh Weinfuss wrote, as part of a “100 NFL Predictions” piece run by ESPN NFL Nation, that CJ would beat out DJ for the Cardinals starting running back job.

I’m willing to bet hard against that transpiring.

More from Arizona Cardinals

I say this as somebody who usually defers to writers focused on covering one team, but this is one of those exceptions.

Last season, CJ?K exceeded expectations with 814 yards on 196 rushing attempts, averaging a credible 4.2 yards per carry and an even more impressive 74 yards per game. For the first time since he ran for 1,200 yards in 2012 for the Tennessee Titans, the elder Johnson looked like a legitimate bell-cow back in this league.

Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

And yet, he couldn’t hold a candle to what the Cardinals third-round rookie did. Whereas CJ?K ran for just three touchdowns, David Johnson crossed the end zone a whopping 12 times. This came despite the fact that he did not claim regular touches until blasting the Los Angeles Rams for 99 rushing yards in Week 13.

Immediately one of the most electrifying backs in the NFL, Johnson averaged 4.6 yards per carry and had several memorable plays, including a ludicrous 47-yard touchdown run against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) carries the ball as St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) defends during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) carries the ball as St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) defends during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Not only is Johnson capable of reaching speeds of 22 miles per hour, but the 6’1″, 224-pound beast adds agility and athleticism to his long speed to create a home-run hitting, tackle-breaking machine. Johnson’s burst is eye-catching, and his 41.5-inch vertical and 6.82 three-cone drill Combine marks were constantly on display.

And you want to make him play second fiddle to a 30-year-old who fractured his tibia in Week 12? I don’t think so.

Chris Johnson deserves carries, and he did a great job of taking advantage of the Cardinals quality blocking in front of him last season. The problem is that he while he used to be an elite playmaker, he just isn’t going to provide the same type of juice that his 24-year-old partner-in-crime will.

There may be some perceived safety in going with a veteran player, but aside from the fact that Bruce Arians doesn’t come off as that type of decision-maker, there’s little sense in holding back a SPARQ star with huge size and no real durability concerns to speak of.

Then there’s the disparity in passing game stats, and that’s where the CJ?K vs. DJ argument turns from “well…nothing’s impossible” to “OK, this is obvious”.

Last season, Chris had six receptions, while David had 36, including four touchdowns. Some of the touchdown catches that the rookie had were sensational, particularly his Week 1 play against the New Orleans Saints. The younger Johnson never scored against the Green Bay Packers through the air, but there are highlights to be found in his out-of-this-world Week 16 performance. Johnson finished with 88 yards on three catches in the victory.

Fantasy owners know what’s up. David’s ADP is third among running backs, and CJ’s is 56th.

In my eyes, there’s no competition. David Johnson is superior in all respects. He’s the much better athlete at this stage, he’s bigger and stronger, he’s one of the league’s best touchdown-scoring threats at the running back position, and not many RBs can top him in the passing game.

Related Story: What was the biggest scandal in NFL history?

The consensus is on the second-year standout’s side, but I really hope it’s unanimous. I have nothing against Chris Johnson, who is still an above-average RB, but I’d much rather see him succeed in an RB2 role behind an ascending player who deserves around 300 touches.

Home/Arizona Cardinals