ARIZONA CARDINALS

David Johnson believes you should pick him No. 1 in fantasy football

Aug 14, 2018, 10:58 AM | Updated: 11:36 am

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) hands the ball off to Cardinals running back David Joh...

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) hands the ball off to Cardinals running back David Johnson, right, during an NFL football practice Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Two years ago, David Johnson became a fantasy football hero.

Last season, he caused immediate anger.

And this year, the Arizona Cardinals running back wants fantasy GMs to trust him. Back from a wrist injury that kept him out of the 2017 season following a brief appearance in Week 1, Johnson is confident his fantasy stock should soar once more.

“Yes, I should definitely be the No. 1 pick,” he told Bickley & Marotta Monday on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “I got all the grief last year. Social media is blowing up right now questioning if they should pick me. Who should they pick?

“Definitely pick me.”

Life has changed for the Clinton, Iowa, native, who attended Northern Iowa and officially burst into mainstream football fame during 2016, his second NFL season. That year, he rushed for 1,239 yards and received 879 more. Johnson set an NFL record with at least 100 scrimmage yards in the first 15 games of a season before his finale was cut short due to an sprained MCL.

The running back recovered from that injury before hurting his wrist Week 1 of last year, which required surgery and ended his season.

As a top overall fantasy pick by many fans heading into 2017, that pushed Johnson right into the heat of social media — and real life — criticism.

“I’m telling you, I’ll literally get Rams fans, I’ll get 49ers, Seattle fans: ‘Man, you got to get, I’m telling you, three touchdowns, 150 yards, you guys got to lose by one. I just need you to do this but you still need to lose,'” Johnson said. “People, I think they feel more involved now.

“I’ll be running off the field or something, or out and about, and they’ll tell me stuff that — I have to kind of look back and see who it is talking about it because you would think they’re the GM or something (because of) the stuff they would say: how many touches you had, how many yards, how many catches.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

7 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

11 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t opposed to joining Arizona Cardinals in 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024? That's what Paris Johnson Jr. predicted soon after getting pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

3 days ago

David Johnson believes you should pick him No. 1 in fantasy football