Ranking the Arizona Cardinals 2019 rookies off of their NFL comparisons
By Avery Duncan
7. KeeSean Johnson – WR
Player comparisons: Demarcus Robinson (Lance Zierlein), Jarvis Landry (Matt Miller), Sterling Shepard (Nick Farabaugh), Michael Gallup (Gabe Ward), Laquon Treadwell (Brian Johannes)
From Demarcus Robinson to Jarvis Landry, KeeSean Johnson’s player comparisons are all over the place, to say the least. However, for a player that’s best described as a jack of all trades, master of known, it’s fairly easy to understand why he’s earned such high and low comparisons.
Despite being 6-foot-1 and 201-pounds and running a lowly 4.60 second 40-yard-dash, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller compared him to the 5-foot-11, 196-pound Jarvis Landry that ran a 4.77 second 40-yard-dash at the combine. While the comparison is odd considering their different playstyles, Miller said this about Johnson;
"KeeSean Johnson played in the slot and outside at Fresno State and will provide great depth for any NFL team’s passing game. He has average athletic ability, which will limit what he can do after the catch. Still, he’ll put himself in position to make many catches."
His limited game in after the catch is what stumps me in terms of Landry comparisons. While both can play inside or out and are natural pass-catchers, Landry is one of the most renowned YAC receivers in the league. The same applies to Sterling Shepard.
The Michael Gallup and Laquon Treadwell comparisons may be a bit closer, even if both names don’t carry as much star power. Gallup is a well-rounded receiver that impacts all areas of the receiving game, while Treadwell was thought of to be the same before entering the league.
Johnson’s NFL comparison is tough. He shares traits that all five of these mentioned players do, but he also has some that contradict the comparisons. However, expect for Johnson to be productive for the Cardinals, just like he was at Fresno State as he’s the program’s career leader in yards and receptions.