Arizona Cardinals David Johnson quite a find
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals entered the 2015 draft with a major need at running back and were able to find a gem in the third round
Andre Ellington had shown the Arizona Cardinals good things at the running back position. Problem was, he had trouble staying healthy. He was undersized, not capable of taking the pounding a “bell cow ” subjects himself to.
There was little doubt that when the 2015 draft arrived, the Cardinals were gonna take a back. “All or Nothing “, the celebrated documentary about the 2015 Cards’ season, showed us that the brain trust wanted Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah. The Detroit Lions foiled those plans however, so Steve Keim and company had to switch to plan B.
And what a plan B it was. The team drafted Northern Iowa’s David Johnson in the third round , and he’s made Abdullah an afterthought in the desert. The 6’1”, 224 pound Johnson combines speed and power, with the hands of a wide receiver to boot.
Whoever the scout was that brought Johnson to the Cards deserves a huge bonus. How a running back with Johnson’s talent can fall to the third round is anyone’s guess. Maybe the fact that he didn’t come from an NCAA powerhouse has something to do with it.
Whatever the reason, Arizona seems to have struck gold. If his opening day performance is any indication, his exciting rookie season was no fluke. He’s off to a rousing start, accumulating 132 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown last Sunday night.
Johnson has unique skills. Though he’s a “big” back, he has the speed and shiftiness of a “scat” back. He can stop on a dime, and is able to see open running lanes before he hits the hole.
The 24-year old appears to be on his way to stardom. As good as a player he is, he also seems to be a great kid. The sky is truly the limit for him, and the Cardinals couldn’t be happier.