Houston Texans UFA profile: The controversial David Johnson

Infamously known as the Houston Texans-Arizona Cardinals trade prize that sent off DeAndre Hopkins, David Johnson has had a rough time in town.

A trade that’s still burning Houston Texans fans like the Centralia, PA underground coal fires, David Johnson was brought over in that trade. Johnson had burst onto the NFL scene in 2015 as a third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals out of Northern Iowa, scoring eight rushing touchdowns as a rookie.

In 2016, he had his career year– posting over 1,200 rushing yards and setting a Cardinals franchise record with 16 rushing touchdowns and four scores through the air. But, sadly, Johnson’s career would basically be over after breaking his wrist in the 2017 season opener on the road against the Detroit Lions.

So when Johnson was traded to Houston after years of doing basically nothing, the rage was justified. In the two years he’s been in Houston, Johson has racked up 919 yards and six rushing touchdowns- all of those rushing scores coming in 2020.

Johnson’s only touchdown this year was a receiving touchdown in Week 1 against the Jaguars. Johnson ranked 87th of all players who had a rushing attempt this year, with only 228 yards. To put that into perspective, Sam Darnold had 222 yards, and Cam Newton had 230. That’s the company Johnson is keeping here.

What would the pros and cons be of keeping Johnson on the roster?