ESPN: Cardinals RB David Johnson is a top storyline of the 2018 NFL season

As the Arizona Cardinals’ OTAs continue, ESPN reporters ranked the 99 top storylines of the coming NFL season.

These players, teams and situations could shape the 2018 year.

No. 10 on the list: Cardinals running back David Johnson.

Johnson was one of the four players in the “Rising stars returning from injury” tier.

ESPN reporters Dan Graziano, Mike Sando and Kevin Seifert wrote that his receiving capabilities will be important for the Cardinals’ offense.

“One of the NFL’s most versatile running backs is 100 percent after fracturing his wrist in Week 1 of 2017. At a time when pass-catching from backs has never been more valuable, it should be remembered Johnson had 80 receptions in 2016. He’ll be central to the offense as it manages the eventual transition to rookie quarterback Josh Rosen.”

The other three players in the category were Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.

Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford was also on the list at No. 35, though in a less optimistic way than Johnson.

He fell into the “Quarterbacks on the hot seat” tier.

The reasoning was short.

“Josh Rosen’s arrival puts Bradford on notice.”

We’ll keep it short, too: Bradford has been good. He’s also been injured. Rosen has been spoken highly of throughout Cardinals training camp.

Bradford and Johnson were the only Arizona players to make the list, though former Cardinal safety Tyrann Mathieu made an appearances at No. 14 in the “Free-agent acquisitions who will make big impacts.” To sum it up, the newly-signed Houston Texan is only 26 and can benefit from playing behind pass-rushers J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.

Houston hopes Mathieu will be able to get back to his elite form before a second knee injury set him back two years back.

And the Cardinals hope Johnson can live up to his No. 10 ranking and Bradford can be productive as a passer.

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