Bruce Arians Says David Johnson 'Has a Chance to Be One of the All-Time Best'

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians had high praise for running back David Johnson on Wednesday following Johnson's impressive rookie campaign.

"I can't say David Johnson is one of the best [running backs] in [the] league yet," Arians told Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. "But he's got a chance to be one of the all-time best."

Johnson, 24, didn't open the season as the team's starter but absolutely exploded late in the year, accumulating 658 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in the team's final five games of the regular season.

He continued to be a focal point of the offense in the postseason, registering 206 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the team's two playoff games.

In all, he finished the 2015 season with 581 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns to go along with 36 receptions for 457 yards and four more touchdowns through the air.

Johnson's rugged running style and strength coupled with his ability to make plays in the passing game make him an exciting talent for the Cardinals. And his presence in the Cardinals backfield, likely as the featured running back going forward, could spell a major demotion for Andre Ellington, who may see himself squeezed out of the team's future plans.

General manager Steve Keim told Urban he "would love to keep Ellington long-term, but [he] has to show he can be durable."

"Andre hasn't proved he can be a 20- to 25-touch-a-game guy," Keim added, per Matthew Berry of ESPN. "David Johnson has."

If nothing else, the Cardinals have excellent depth at the position given that veteran Chris Johnson—who played very well for the team in 2015—hopes to re-sign with the team as well, per Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com.

But even if he does, both Arians' and Keim's comments suggest the younger Johnson will be the workhorse back for the Cardinals going forward. And according to Arians, expectations are very high for the second-year man. 

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