ESPN: David Johnson is a dark horse MVP candidate

Aug 29, 2016, 12:58 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

BY BEN FLORES

Arizona Sports

Another week, another list David Johnson shows up on.

On Monday, ESPN Insiders held an awards day, naming who they thought would take home hardware at the end of the season.

With the likes of Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers garnering some attention, Field Yates dubbed Johnson as his dark horse MVP candidate.

There isn’t a hole in Johnson’s game. He’s an adept runner between the tackles with the burst to get to the edge and is one of the league’s finest pass-catching backs. If Arizona gives him 250-plus touches this season, he could be in the MVP mix.

After being drafted in the third round of last year’s draft, there wasn’t much hype about the kid from Northern Iowa. He quickly turned the heads of people around the league, as he propelled himself into the spotlight in 2015.

As a rookie, he led the team with 13 touchdowns, showing signs of someone special. In Sunday’s 34-24 loss to the Houston Texans, Johnson showed he is close to midseason form as he had 28 yards on six carries, including a 16-yard scamper and a touchdown in limited action.

Although there are bigger names in the league right now, many have taken notice of Johnson. There is no more quiet ascension or surprise performances for the second-year back. There is a certain amount of expectations set, and all eyes will be on David Johnson in 2016.

Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel, right, visits with Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, left, prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel, center, stands with the Houston Texans for the national anthem prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson loses his helmet during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)

Houston Texans wide receiver Jaelen Strong (11) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Arizona Cardinals defender Ronald Zamort (38) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws an incomplete pass as he is hit by Houston Texans linebacker Brennan Scarlett, bottom, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)

Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Kevin Minter (51) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) celebrates his touchdown catch with teammate Ryan Griffin (84) with during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Houston Texans free safety Andre Hal (29) celebrates a reception during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Texans wide receiver Braxton Miller (13) is grabbed by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Mike Jenkins (43) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)

Houston Texans kicker Nick Novak (8) celebrates with teammates making a field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) pulls is a catch in front of Houston Texans free safety Andre Hal (29) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Mike Jenkins (43) is taken off the field by cart after an injury during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Houston Texans outside linebacker John Simon (51) celebrates with teammates after he returned an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, left, challenges a call during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/JR)

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) makes a catch for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) defends the play during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) walks off the field after throwing an interception for a touchdown return during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/JR)

Houston Texans outside linebacker John Simon (51) intercepts a pass by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians watches during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)

Houston Texans outside linebacker John Simon (51) returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Texans outside linebacker John Simon (51) is pursues by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) after he intercepted a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) reaches for a pass in front of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Brandon Williams (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. Fuller dropped the ball. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) can't hang on to a pass as he is hit by Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/JR)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaxon Shipley (16) makes a catch for a touchdown over Houston Texans defensive back Terrance Mitchell (38) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Arizona Cardinals defensive back Elie Bouka (30) is hit by Houston Texans defenders K.J. Dillon (36) and Corey Moore (43) after a catch during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Houston Texans outside linebacker Reshard Cliett (58) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)

Houston Texans defensive back Charles James (31) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaxon Shipley (16) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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