PFF: Cardinals have NFL’s 23rd-best running back unit

Historically, the Arizona Cardinals have not really had a great running game.

Since moving to the Valley from St. Louis in 1988, they have had a running back top the 1,000-yard mark just six times, with Ronald Moore, Garrison Hearst, Adrian Murrell, Edgerrin James (twice) and Beanie Wells accomplishing the feat.

Of course, no Cardinal has done it since 2011, and while the lack of a single runner reaching that plateau does not necessarily indicate a poor running game, in theory it could work as a solid barometer.

Well, not counting last season, as the Cardinals ranked eighth in the NFL in total rushing, 12th in yards-per-attempt and were tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns all without the help of a 1,000-yard back.

Their leading rusher, Chris Johnson, ran for 814 yards and three touchdowns on 196 carries before being sidelined with an injury.

Their second-leading rusher, David Johnson, ran for 581 yards and eight touchdowns on just 125 carries, and in relief of the former Johnson down the stretch looked every bit the bellcow running back.

Then there’s Andre Ellington, who entered 2015 as the starter but was hurt in Week 1. While his role diminished, he still ran for 289 yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries.

All three are back for 2016, with the projected pecking order being David Johnson, Chris Johnson and Ellington, with Stepfan Taylor and Kerwynn Williams possibly figuring into the mix, too.

Combined, the Cardinals appear to have arguably the best running back depth in franchise history, and possibly one of the best groups of runners in the entire NFL.

Chris Johnson certainly feels like Arizona has something special at running back, and ESPN’s Field Yates has a similar opinion in ranking the Cardinals’ running back group as one of the top offensive position groups in the league.

Yet, for all the hype that is being bestowed upon the Cardinals’ running back room, the folks over at ProFootballFocus.com are not particularly impressed by what they see.

The site’s Mike Renner published a piece Tuesday ranking all 32 running back units in the NFL, and in it the Cardinals came in at No. 23.

Starter: David Johnson

Backup: Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington

Key stat: David Johnson’s 58.4 elusive rating was the second-highest of any rookie last season.

If Chris Johnson—PFF’s lowest-graded RB in 2015—sees the field often next season, then this ranking is justified for Arizona. If David Johnson takes a majority of the Cardinals’ snaps, however, he could be on the cusp of a monster year. His ridiculous touchdown run against the Eagles in Week 15 was one of the handful of strongly-positive grades last season. David Johnson has an elite blend of speed and power that should easily make him the featured back in Arizona this season. Chris Johnson was still far too boom-or-bust for PFF’s liking a season ago, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Andre Ellington sees more touches this year.

That’s…interesting?

Barring injury, it seems like a lock that the second-year pro Johnson will see the bulk of the carries, with the veteran Johnson playing in a reserve role. Cardinals coaches have talked about using all of their backs, noting there will be an established depth chart but adding they will have no problem riding the hot hand throughout every individual game.

Given that — plus a revamped offensive line that is likely to have been improved — and it’s fair to say that this ranking may prove to be a tad way too low.

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