NFL Power Rankings 2020: Ranking every starting running back

28. David Johnson, Houston Texans

Johnson didn’t enter the NFL with All-Pro expectations. The Cardinals used a third-round pick on the Northern Iowa product in 2015. As a rookie, Johnson did get his fair share of carries, but the Cardinals relied mostly on Chris Johnson. The veteran received 71 more carries than the rookie, but the younger Johnson did lead Arizona with eight rushing touchdowns.

In 2016, Chris Johnson landed on injured reserve early in the season, paving the way for David Johnson. The younger back delivered, rushing for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns. Johnson also made 80 receptions for 879 yards and four more scores. He finished second on the team in receiving yards, only trailing the legendary Larry Fitzgerald.

Overall, Johnson finished 2016 with more touches (373), yards from scrimmage (2,118), and touchdowns (20) than any other skill player in the NFL. He made the Pro Bowl and earned a First-Team All-Pro selection. Things seemed bright for the young running back, but his career took a sharp downturn in 2017.

Johnson suffered a wrist injury in Arizona’s opening game in 2017, which ended his season before it even began. He returned in 2018 but only averaged 3.6 yards per attempt and failed to cross the 1,000-yard threshold on the ground. In 2019, the Cardinals benched Johnson midway through the season in favor of Kenyan Drake.

This offseason, Arizona traded Johnson to the Texans in a package deal for DeAndre Hopkins. Maybe Johnson can turn his career around in Houston, but the 28-year-old used up most of my belief over the past three years.