Week 1 vs. Detroit Lions
It’s a testament to how good David Johnson is that 1,386 yards and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage – including 50 receptions – constitutes a bad year. The most important number to remember with Johnson, however, is 16, which is the number of games he started last year for a terrible team with one of the worst offensive lines in football. This year, he should benefit from a pass-friendly offense that will take advantage of his versatility.
Johnson starts the season off against a Lions defense that was actually eighth in the league in rushing yards allowed per game and improved after they acquired Damon Harrison in a midseason trade. The Lions added talent to their front-seven, so they won’t be easy to run against, but Johnson’s versatility and potential workload should still make him a viable starter in all leagues. You likely spent a first-round pick on him. Start him.
Fantasy Upside
The hiring of new HC Kliff Kingsbury and selection of QB Kyler Murray in April's draft will lead to considerable change, but getting David Johnson back to his 2016 level of production will be of great importance for the Cardinals. As ESPN.com pointed out, Johnson has averaged a 75% carry share and 17% target share in the 40 games since taking on lead-back duties in Week 13 of the 2015 season. But he needs to be put in a better position to excel. "He's a mismatch in space," Kingsbury said. "I can't wait for our offensive coaches to be able to get their hands on him."
Fantasy Downside
Texas Tech used multiple running backs in Kingsbury's years there, but the most catches a running back had in any season was DeAndre Washington's 41 in 2015 (and that was the fourth-highest total on the team). However, as AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban suggests, coaching at the NFL level can change things.
2019 Bottom Line
Right now, even with Larry Fitzgerald returning, Johnson could battle Christian Kirk to be the second-best pass catcher in a wide-open, pass-first Arizona offense. But again, the Cardinals are in the same spot with Johnson that they found themselves in 2017 and 2018: They need him to be great. Kingsbury has to create ways to make that happen. Either way, fantasy owners will need to expend high-end draft capital to find out if the new coach can pull it off. Our ranking of Johnson assumes the efforts will be a success.
Week 17 at Seattle Seahawks
David Johnson had only 35 yards rushing last week against the Rams, but he also caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Larry Fitzgerald, turning in a decent overall fantasy outing. Johnson actually has 10 touchdowns this season and one in each of his past two games, despite being a part of the Cardinals’ terrible offense.
This week, Johnson will try to get the 122 rushing yards he needs to reach 1,000 on the season against the Seahawks. You can run on Seattle, as they’ve allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, and fantasy owners should consider Johnson a solid RB2 option in all league formats. He should be in for a full workload.
Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Rams
David Johnson only had 33 yards rushing last week against the Falcons, but he caught three balls for 68 yards receiving and also ran in a touchdown. Johnson was targeted six times in the passing game and should continue to be leaned on as the primary weapon in the Cardinals’ offense, which should give him value. Even on a terrible team, a full workload is always worth at least some fantasy consideration.
This week, Johnson will face a Rams defense that has allowed 24.3 fantasy points per game to opposing running back groups this year, ranked right in the middle of the league. While game script could be a problem if the Rams get up early, Johnson’s likely full workload gives him a high floor this week and makes him a borderline RB1, despite being on a terrible offense.
Week 15 at Atlanta Falcons
David Johnson has been disappointing three games in a row, averaging only 70.7 yards from scrimmage during that span and failing to find the end zone. Johnson is still getting a full workload, including eight receptions and 15 carries last week against the Lions, providing optimism for fantasy owners who need him for the playoffs.
This week, Johnson has high upside against a Falcons defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to the running back position this year. While it’s hard to trust him after such a frustrating season, his workload gives him a high floor and the matchup makes him a must-start. We have him as a top-10 option this week in all league formats.
Week 14 vs. Detroit Lions
David Johnson had a disappointing game against the Packers last week, rushing for only 69 yards on 20 carries, while backup Chase Edmonds vulture two touchdowns. Johnson should still be considered an every-week starter, however, as he ranks third in the league in rushing attempts this season, giving him a high-floor each game.
This week, he’ll face a Lions defense that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, including giving up four touchdowns and 65 receptions in the passing game. Johnson should be an active part of the offense and with a nice matchup, should be able to put up solid RB1 numbers. He should be active in all league formats.
Week 13 at Green Bay Packers
David Johnson struggled along with the rest of the Cardinals offense last week against the Chargers. The Cardinals struggled to move the ball consistently and suffered a lopsided defeat to the surging Chargers. Johnson did finish with 79 yards from scrimmage and touched the ball 19 times, however, showing his bad games are still far from disastrous.
This week, expect another full workload against the Packers, who have been above average against the run this year. Regardless of matchup, however, Johnson should be active in all leagues every game due to the number of touches he gets. Arizona will continue to lean on him and we have him as a top-10 option in all league formats.
Week 12 at Los Angeles Chargers
David Johnson didn’t find the end zone last week, but he got a full workload and finished the game with 154 yards from scrimmage on 25 carries and a reception. Johnson is getting more work since the change in offensive coordinators and looks much more like his 2016 self as the focal point of the offense.
This week, Johnson faces a Chargers defense that has been below average against running backs this year, allowing 65 receptions and 659 receiving yards, but only one receiving touchdown to the position. Johnson should once again be featured heavily in the offense, and a full workload should yield RB1 numbers again. He should be active in all leagues.
Week 11 vs. Oakland Raiders
David Johnson from 2016 finally showed up against the Chiefs last week, catching seven passes for 85 receiving yards and a touchdown. His activity in the passing game supplemented 98 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and reminded fantasy owners why he was a top-four pick in virtually all leagues this year.
This week, Johnson faces a Raiders defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season and just got torched by Melvin Gordon last week for 165 total yards and a touchdown. Expect a big day from Johnson, who should be active running the ball as well as in the passing game, particularly if the Cardinals can get an early lead against the miserable Raiders.
Week 10 at Kansas City Chiefs
David Johnson still isn’t lighting the world on fire, but it was good to see him manage 100 yards from scrimmage on a day where the Cardinals struggled running the ball. Against the 49ers before the bye last week, Johnson supplemented his 59 yards on 16 carries with four catches for 41 yards, as the Cardinals offense looked a little better under new offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
This week, Johnson faces a Chiefs defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this year, including five receiving touchdowns to the position. While game script may become a problem if the Chiefs get up early, the influence of Leftwich should allow Johnson to catch enough passes to turn in a quality fantasy performance. He should be considered a borderline RB1 this week.
