Arizona Cardinals: Look for bigger 2017 for Johnson
By Scott Allen
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson could have a bigger season in 2017
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson was a legitimate MVP candidate in 2016, his second season in the NFL. Imagine if his 2017 was better.
Johnson was a dual threat last season. He lead all backs in receptions with 80, which was good for second-best on the Cardinals roster behind receiver Larry Fitzgerald. He caught four touchdowns.
There was also his rushing. That was pretty good too. He rushed for 1,239-yards and 16 touchdowns. Not bad, right?
I don’t think head coach Bruce Arians was kidding last month when talking about his starting running back. He said he thought Johnson could rush for 2,000 and get over 200-yards a game.
A lot depends on what the Cardinals do with the running back and receiver positions in the offseason, but I see it too. He was a workhorse last season.
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Although the Cardinals goal is to get him 25-30 touches per game and while the yardage would be great, it would also be nice to see them bring someone in that could take a little bit of the load off.
That is where better offensive line play comes in. If they can give him bigger holes, he can produce bigger numbers even with just as many or fewer touches he had in 2016.
The Cardinals lined him out at receiver a number of times as well in 2016. The Cardinals could bring in a receiver that could take some of those touches from him but right now I’m not seeing it.
Oh, they’ll bring in another receiver but Johnson has such good hands, runs good routes, the Cardinals should continue to use him lined up to the side. The Cardinals just need to plan well so as not to overwork him.
Johnson should become the marquee player for the Cardinals after Fitz leaves for good, likely after the 2017 season. It is time for Johnson to cement himself as the next Cardinals superstar.