The Arizona Cardinals are making waves with their latest coaching hire, bringing in Mike LaFleur as the new head coach. Known for his offensive prowess with the Los Angeles Rams, LaFleur is set to infuse some of that high-octane West Coast offense magic into the Cardinals' playbook.
However, for this transformation to succeed, the Cardinals need a rock-solid offensive line. GM Monti Ossenfort has been proactive, signing two guards and two tackles in free agency to bolster the line. The running back room also needs to be versatile, with players who can block, find open lanes, and consistently produce on the field.
Currently, James Conner is the starting running back, but his stint on IR last year raises questions about his return. Trey Benson, another key player, is also recovering from injury. Both are in rehab, leaving fans curious about their performance levels when they return.
Enter Tyler Allgeier, a savvy free-agent acquisition by Ossenfort, who is expected to get significant carries. But the Cardinals might still be on the lookout for fresh talent from the college ranks to round out their backfield. One name to watch is Emmett Johnson, who racked up an impressive 1,450 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and earned the title of Big 10 Running Back of the Year.
Johnson is projected to go in the fifth round, with the Cardinals holding the 141st pick. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 202 pounds, Johnson clocked a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash.
His college career at Nebraska was marked by 2,460 rushing yards, 702 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns over 41 games. His accolades include being a First Team All-American and the Big 10 Running Back of the Year.
While there are some concerns about his athletic profile from the NFL Combine, Johnson remains a top-rated running back in the 2026 NFL Draft. His agility and ability to make defenders miss with quick cuts and explosive footwork make him a compelling prospect. Whether he can overcome those combine concerns and make a splash in the NFL is a storyline Cardinals fans will be eager to follow.