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Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 4:59pm
Two carries for 28 yards may not be anything to get too excited about. But a pair of 14-yard runs in Saturday's preseason game were a good sign that David Johnson is all the way back.
"The biggest thing is I was really pumped up about was how easy it was for me get through those holes. The guys up front blocked for me really well," Johnson said. "I think the team and the Cardinals fan base knows, but I think the biggest thing is letting everyone else know that not just I'm back, but our offense is stacked."
Fantasy Impact:
Johnson, who blew up for 2,118 total yards and 20 touchdowns in 2016 before a fractured left wrist ended his season in Week 1 last season, smiled wide as he recalled his first touches of the preseason and first game action in almost a year, the story said. It also added Johnson is motivated and primed to be the focus of the attack. Johnson said his wrist his fine and it's already taken some hits.
Scouting Report
Posted by Bob Harris
Friday, July 13, 2018 - 10:32pm
Fantasy Upside
Johnson—obviously—will be a crucial component in new coordinator Mike McCoy's offense. Indeed, since arriving in Arizona as Bruce Arians' replacement, new head coach Steve Wilks has preached the gospel of the ground attack with Johnson as the focal point. And Johnson is clearly looking forward to that. Remember, entering 2017, the bulk of the Cardinals' offensive plans were built squarely around Johnson and what he brings to the table as a punishing runner and as an elite pass receiver. Those hopes were dashed after his season-ending wrist injury in Week 1, but Johnson's wrist is healed and he's anxious to play again. Beyond that, Johnson's stated goal of compiling 1,000 yards as both a rusher and receiver—while clearly lofty—isn't out of the question.
Operating behind a solid offensive line in 2016, Johnson fell 121 receiving yards shy of the 1,000/1,000 club. As NFL.com notes, transitioning from Arians' offense to new coordinator Mike McCoy's scheme, Johnson will also have to get used to running behind a fullback for the first time in his pro career. Expect him to adjust well.
Fantasy Downside
After injuries ravaged the blocking unit last season, Wilks now believes his revamped front line is the strength of the team. We'll find out about that soon enough and it will be a major factor for Johnson owners.
2018 Bottom Line
Even if there are questions at QB and along the offensive line, it certainly seems safe to assume McCoy is ready to ride Johnson as both a rusher and receiver. Will it be to the same degree that Arians did? As our ranking suggests, we expect that to be the case, especially in PPR formats given McCoy's relatively pass-happy offensive approach.
2018 Strength of Schedule - ARI
| W1 | W2 | W3 | W4 | W5 | W6 | W7 | W8 | W9 | W10 | W11 | W12 | W13 | W14 | W15 | W16 | W17 |
|---|
28
WAS | 32
@LAR | 14
CHI | 12
SEA | 26
@SF | 1
@MIN | 6
DEN | 26
SF | BYE | 7
@KC | 9
OAK | 22
@LAC | 21
@GB | 29
DET | 5
@ATL | 32
LAR | 12
@SEA |
Schedule difficulty based on schedule-adjusted, positional defensive ranking. Top DEF = 1, bottom DEF = 32.
2017 Game Stats
| Week | Opp | RuAtt | RuYds | RuTD | Fum | YPC | Rec | RecYds | RecTD | Tgts | YPR | STD | PPR | Snaps | % |
|---|
| 1 | @DET | 11 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 2.09 | 6 | 68 | 0 | 9 | 11.33 | 7.1 | 13.1 | 46/75 | 61.3% |
| 2 | @IND | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 3 | DAL | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 4 | SF | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 5 | @PHI | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 6 | TB | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 7 | @LAR | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 8 | BYE | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 9 | @SF | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 10 | SEA | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 11 | @HOU | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 12 | JAX | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 13 | LAR | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 14 | TEN | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 15 | @WAS | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 16 | NYG | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 17 | @SEA | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Per game | 11.00 | 23.00 | 0 | 1.00 | 2.09 | 6.00 | 68.00 | 0 | 9.00 | 11.33 | 7.10 | 13.10 | 46.00/75.00 | 61.33% |
| Totals | 11 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 2.09 | 6 | 68 | 0 | 9 | 11.33 | 7.1 | 13.1 | 46/75 | 61.33% |
