We’ve already covered the puke-inducing usage that David Johnson was forced to experience in 2018. From his former coaching staff ramming him into the heart of the opposing defense, to his lack of usage in the passing game, Johnson is ready to return to his fantasy cheat code self in Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid. “I think it’ll be similar to 2016,” Johnson said, who had more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage that season. “I think I’ll be utilized as both a runner and a receiver.” Just that news itself has made the fantasy community jizz itself, but there should be many more reasons as to why it’s a borderline lock that DJ will return to fantasy dominance.
Not only will Kingsbury scheme it up to get the versatile back on the edge and into space, but he expects the team to run 90 to 95 plays per game — just like what he executed at Texas Tech. Obviously things will be a bit different in the NFL, but Johnson is preparinghimself be a 90-plus play workhorse.
“With so many plays we’re trying to get in, I’ve got to be conditioned,” Johnson said.
Kingsbury wasn’t known to produce workhorse backs under his watch at Tech. However, his scheme and competition in the Texas area made it difficult to recruit future NFL backs. Even with the return of Larry Fitzgerald, the emergence of Christian Kirk and the additions of talented rookie wideouts, Johnson will continue to be the most pivotal and dangerous player in this offense.
The Wolf continues to be a bit down on Johnson (No. 9 overall), but expect a slight bump throughout the summer for Kingsbury’s most talented weapon.
