Cardinals rookie KeeSean Johnson striving to make name known

Hype has been aplenty with the revamped Arizona Cardinals offense.

With Kliff Kingsbury at the helm of an offense stocked with new weapons like Kyler Murray, Hakeem Butler and Andy Isabella added to known talents David Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk, the gears seemed to be shifted.

But the Cardinals’ 2019 sixth-round pick out of Fresno State, KeeSean Johnson, wants to say something about that.

Johnson isn’t a stranger to being left out of the limelight or doubted. He also isn’t afraid to own it. His number, 19, makes that clear.

“I was the 19th receiver taken in this year’s draft, so I have that there to remind me every day to keep me pushing,” Johnson said on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf.

“That just gives you that spark to get to No. 1 or get to be where you want.”

Despite carrying that with him, Johnson is grateful that even has a chance.

“Everyone can think something of themselves, no matter what it is, but I’m just blessed that I’m here now and that I can get the opportunity to play and perform in front of these coaches and I’m going to make the best of it,” he said.

Making the best of it has included talking with Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald.

“It’s a blessing,” he said. “[That’s] somebody you watch growing up.”

Johnson mentioned that he and Fitzgerald haven’t been around each other as much as he’d like, since rookies have been around the facility much more than veteran players.

“I’ve asked him as much as I can so far,” he said. “But there’s definitely more things that I want to ask and get to learn.”

Fitzgerald’s presence is one Johnson believes all the newcomers can benefit from.

“I think it’s going to take all of our rookies to a better level,” he said.

And for Johnson, a level that can gain him some credibility.