NFL Power Rankings 2020: Ranking every starting running back
By Samuel Teets
16. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals
Drake began the 2019 season playing for the woeful Miami Dolphins. While Miami initially had high expectations for the 2016 third-round pick, the franchise and fanbase quickly soured on Drake when he failed to become a legitimate top threat. After six miserable games, during which Drake averaged 3.7 yards per attempt, the Dolphins sent Drake to Arizona for a conditional 2020 sixth-round draft pick.
When Drake arrived in Arizona, his fortunes immediately turned around. Drake made his first appearance as a Cardinal in Week 9, receiving the start in place of the injured David Johnson. Against the stacked San Francisco 49ers defense, Drake averaged 7.3 yards per attempt on his way to 110 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also caught four passes for 52 more yards.
Drake took over as Arizona’s starting running back and generated two more 100-yard rushing performances before the season’s end. During his eight starts with the Cardinals, Drake averaged 5.2 yards per attempt and 80.4 rushing yards per game. All eight of his rushing touchdowns came with the Cardinals along with 643 of his 817 total rushing yards.
Shortly after the season ended, Arizona shipped Johnson to Houston, leaving the lead position in the backfield open for Drake. In March, the Cardinals assigned their one-year, $8.483 million transition tag to the Alabama product.