Instant Fantasy Analysis - RB David Johnson, Cardinals

[The Football Guru 222]

If the Cardinals' fan base was looking for Andre Ellington's power-running complement, they didn't get it here. Johnson had an impressive combine and is 224 pounds, but isn't a power back and had over 1,000 touches in college. Instead, he is a gifted receiver with good speed that doesn't really seem to offer Arizona anything different than it already has on the roster. On a more positive note, the Northern Iowa standout figures to be Ellington's handcuff, which is notable since he significantly wore down as a feature back a season ago. Johnson is probably no more than a late-round redraft pick and a mid-to-late second-round pick in rookie drafts.

[stonewall 647]

Thank you for your analysis, Guru.

 

I sincerely hope that fantasy redrafters follow the same line of logic (late round flier/handcuff, at best). If so, this kid will be the steal of the draft. I am going on record to say that David Johnson is the real deal. Ellington is not.....and showed us last year that he can't be a featured-back in the NFL. Yes, I know about the foot injury. However, I am convinced after following him very closely, that Ellington isn't the stud that we all assumed he would be. I think the Cardinal staff realize this, as well.

 

I submit that Johnson is a potential stud & DOES offer the Cards much more than they already have, and that he will be their power back in that tough division. This kid will surprise many this year. He can pound the hole with power, as well as catch it smoothly outta the backfield. He is a football player.......which is what I look for above all else. Wise redrafters will grab him. I will not hype him anymore this off-season, because he represents such great value as a late-round darkhorse. However, I will predict a top-3 fantasy finish among rookie RB's.

[The Football Guru 222]

If he shows more ability to run inside during the preseason, I will be more than willing to bump him up because I was psyched to see what he could do when I first caught wind of him. Arizona has an improving line and Ellington isn't a featured back, so I could see a scenario in which he splits touches with Ellington. At this point, however, I don't see him overtaking (or outproducing) a healthy Ellington.

[stonewall 647]

If he shows more ability to run inside during the preseason, I will be more than willing to bump him up because I was psyched to see what he could do when I first caught wind of him.

 

......and I am hoping for a very quiet preseason.

 

Thanks again for your hard work and analysis on this years NFL draft class.

[The Football Guru 222]

 

......and I am hoping for a very quiet preseason.

 

Thanks again for your hard work and analysis on this years NFL draft class.

 

I decided to take a few minutes to rewatch his touches in the Iowa game just now (it has been awhile since I watched him). I wish he ran with more power for a 224-pounder, b/c the speed and receiving ability are certainly there. I think they got more of a mirror image of Ellington than his power-running complement (which David Cobb would have been).

[stonewall 647]

 

I decided to take a few minutes to rewatch his touches in the Iowa game just now (it has been awhile since I watched him). I wish he ran with more power for a 224-pounder, b/c the speed and receiving ability are certainly there. I think they got more of a mirror image of Ellington than his power-running complement (which David Cobb would have been).

 

I just rewatched his touches in the Senior Bowl. He can definitely use that 225 lbs to run with power. When combined with his speed and pass-catching abilities, he seems to me to be a good (not perfect) fit in Arizona. I am not a Cardinal fan, but as you mentioned, their o-line is improving.

 

Don't get me wrong, he isn't gonna run with Brandon Jacobs type of power.......but with some NFL coaching and strength conditioning, he will push the pile. I can see Ellington assuming a 3rd down-type roll, with Johnson shouldering the load in an, admittedly, unfriendly run division. Trust me on this one, Guru....top 3 fantasy rookie RB, with top 2 potential.

[jerryskids 6,737]

Arians likened him to Forte, and I agree with the comparison -- his pass catching skills are off the charts. The question of course is his ability and willingness to pound it in the NFL, but with an OL which is suddenly looking top tier, that may not be as big of a concern. The question IMO is if the Cards offense can/will adapt to take advantage of two potentially unique/special players like Johnson and Ellington, and how they will do it.

[stonewall 647]

This conversation was held before Chris Johnson was added or I discovered that Arians was an anti-rookie numbnut,

 

He single-handedly propelled me into the Championship in one league. Am glad I kept him rostered where I could, but just imagine what could have been.......

[$epphori$ 118]

This conversation was held before Chris Johnson was added or I discovered that Arians was an anti-rookie numbnut,

 

He single-handedly propelled me into the Championship in one league. Am glad I kept him rostered where I could, but just imagine what could have been.......

Cheers man, I drafted him and waited patiently and he got me into the Superbowl as well. Good luck to us. Merry Christmas

[dschddny 0]

Need him to have another monster game this week - my opponent has Carson Palmer and Fitzgerald starting so I'm hoping for a huge DJ game and quiet passing game for Zona vs the Pack!