The Arizona Cardinals are counting on running back Kenyan Drake to lead the rushing attack to be the workhorse in their offense. He was fantastic in his eight games in Arizona after he was traded from the Miami Dolphins.
In eight games, he rushed for 643 yards and eight touchdowns, If that were his pace over an entire season, he would have nearly 1,300 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. The 16 rushing touchdowns would tie a franchise single-season season record set by David Johnson in 2016. The almost 1,300 yards would rank fourth in franchise history for a single season.
Drake, despite his late-season performance, did not make Doug Farrar’s list of the top 11 running backs in the NFL entering this season, and understandably so.
Drake, excluding his half season with the Cardinals, has been a complementary back.
But as the lead back for the Cardinals, he proved he is capable of holding up and producing. It is for this reason the Cardinals brought him back on the transition tag, paying him nearly $8.5 million in 2020.
Drake has the opportunity to prove he is much more than a No. 2 back or a third-down, pass-catching running back. He can be one of the best in the league.
If he can put up 1,200 yards or more in 2020, expect him to be on next year’s list.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
.png?w=600)
