Josh Weinfuss, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

David Johnson sells himself to fantasy owners: 'I still have a lot more to learn'

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson didn't need a reason to sell himself to fantasy football owners, but that's exactly what he did during an appearance at the National Fantasy Football Convention earlier this week.

“I’m telling you: I’m a versatile guy,” Johnson said. “I’m learning. I feel like I still have a lot more to learn, and I feel like my ability to catch the ball and be a good running back is, first off, the No. 1 selling point.

“Also, just because I’m learning so much from [quarterback] Carson [Palmer] and [wide receiver] Larry [Fitzgerald] how to be a dominant receiver, I can definitely fix those errors I had last year and be a good receiver as well.”

Johnson is widely considered the consensus No. 1 pick in fantasy football leagues this year, regardless of format. He’s second in both PPR and non-PPR rankings, according to ESPN, behind only Pittsburgh running back Le’Veon Bell.

An explosive 2016 season made Johnson one of the most valuable commodities in fantasy football. He turned in a league-high 407.8 points in PPR scoring last year, according to ESPN Stats & Information -- more than 27 points more than No. 2 Aaron Rodgers -- and Johnson was fourth in standard scoring with 327.8 points.

His fantasy value skyrocketed, thanks to one of the best seasons by a running back in NFL history. He had more than 100 all-purpose yards in each of his first 15 games and finished the season with 1,239 rushing yards and 879 receiving yards. He likely would have topped 100 all-purpose yards in all 16 games and 1,000 receiving yards for the season, but he left the Cardinals’ season finale in the first quarter with a knee injury.

With his knee feeling “great,” Johnson said 1,000 receiving yards is possible this season.

“I should’ve had it,” Johnson said. “I messed up a couple plays in games before, and it’s definitely tough in the NFL, but I feel like I definitely have the ability to do it.”

Another reason fantasy owners are looking forward to having Johnson on their rosters is the hope of Cardinals coach Bruce Arians to get the third-year running back 30 touches a game, which Arians proposed at the owners meetings in March. That came after Arians suggested during his season-ending news conference that Johnson could average 200 yards per game.

Johnson has said he is ready to handle both loads. He led the NFL last season with 373 touches, 2,118 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns from scrimmage. It’s no wonder all he hears about are his fantasy stats.

“That’s the main question I get in any interview,” Johnson said. “It’s all about fantasy. All about doing what I can for these fantasy owners, and everywhere I go, that’s all I hear. Everywhere I go, that’s all people are talking to me about.

“It’s a new thing for me. I never did fantasy, was never big into it. Kind of got forced into it, but it’s a cool thing because I can get more fans and different types of fans.”

But there’s one thing Johnson needs to learn: He doesn’t need to sell himself to fantasy owners. They all know who he is.

^ Back to Top ^