NFL Draft: Cardinals’ day three RB options
Feb 19, 2013, 4:09 PM | Updated: 9:27 pm
One of the things I have learned over the last three years about the NFL Draft is that fans only care about early round selections.
First I want to say, it’s not the fans’ fault, it’s because of people like me, guys who write about the draft, analyze picks, players, and yet come late April we haven’t talked about guys that could and should be available on day three of the NFL Draft.
Talking about Eric Fisher, Chance Warmack, Barkevious Mingo and Luke Joeckel week after week doesn’t give you information on a guy like David Carter, who has been a good rotational player in Arizona, and who most of us (myself included) knew little about when he was drafted in 2011.
My goal over the next 67 days is to provide the reader with information about these types of players so when April 27 rolls around (rounds 4-7 for those wondering) and we hear the names called, we don’t have to run to Google.
This week we’ll take a look at three running backs that could hear their name called on day three — all of whom could be options in Arizona.
Dennis Johnson, Arkansas – 5-9, 213 lbs
While Johnson was at Arkansas all he did was consistently produce, even though he was being overshadowed by bigger-name players.
He never carried the ball more than 137 times in a season and he only has 345 total carries in his career. Compare that to Wisconsin’s Montee Ball who had 356 carries in the 2012 season alone.
Johnson is a compact, strong, yet light on his feet runner. He moves well in the hole, at the line of scrimmage and knows how to set up and follow his blocks, then use his exceptional burst to get to and through the hole.
What makes Johnson such a well-rounded back and one that could be a strong fit with the Cardinals, is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and block in the passing game.
Johnson has to clean up his ball security issues. In his minute number of carries he has lost 14 fumbles in his career, and he doesn’t possess elite long speed.
Robbie Rouse, Fresno St- 5-6, 190 lbs
