The Arizona Cardinals enter the offseason with important issues to address at running back. There are contract questions, free agent questions and questions as to what the Cardinals will value in coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
Let’s break down the offseason at the position.
2019 review
The season began with David Johnson expected to be the focal point of the offense. It was believed he could have similar success to that he had in 2016.
He was both effective and also underused as the season began. In Week 1, he had 82 yards on 18 carries. In Week 5, he had 91 yards on 17 carries. However, he never got more than 12 rushing attempts in the other four of the first six games. He made plays catching the ball, though, and was 10th in the league in yards from scrimmage at that point.
Then he got hurt. He battled a pair of injuries and missed a couple of games, but once the injuries came, things changed. After Week 6, he only had 18 carries the rest of the season.
Chase Edmonds stepped in against the New York Giants and had a huge game — 126 yards and three touchdowns but then got hurt the next week.
That led to the trade to acquire Kenyan Drake, who immediately earned the trust of Kingsbury and became the No. 1 back overnight. He rushed for 110 yards after being with the team three days. He was okay the next few weeks and then finished the season with 263 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in the final three games.
In eight games, he led the team in rushing for the season with 643 yards and eight touchdowns.
So now what?
Who is on the roster
Here is what the roster looks like at the position:
- David Johnson is signed through 2021. He will make $10.2 million in 2020.
- Chase Edmonds is signed through 2021. He will make $660,000 in 2020.
- Kenyan Drake will be an unrestricted free agent.
- D.J. Foster will be an unrestricted free agent.
Big offseason questions
The Cardinals made it obvious they want to re-sign Drake. How much will it cost? He will want to get paid and his performance warrants that. He probably can command a yearly average of $5-7 million in a new deal that runs between two to four years.
Will the Cardinals pay him that much, especially with David Johnson’s contract still on the books?
The next question is about Johnson. What can they do with him? They can’t cut him because it will cost $4 million in cap space to cut him than to keep him. Can they trade him? How much of the contract will they have to eat? Will they have to attach a draft pick to move him?
Likely scenarios
The most likely scenario is re-signing Drake and dealing Johnson.
Edmonds will be back. He is under contract and makes a great No. 2 back. While some believe he could be a No. 1, it is highly unlikely the Cardinals would enter the season with that scenario — not re-signing Drake and then dealing Johnson. He had one big game and then got hurt.
If Drake is brought back, Johnson will be moved. If Drake does not come back, Johnson likely stays.
If Johnson stays, the Cardinals are certain to draft a back they believe could be contributor in 2020.
Foster could be brought back but he only played on special teams.
If Foster is not re-signed, expect a minor running back to be signed in free agency as a guy who could get a few snaps or play special teams and who can compete for the roster.
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