Niner Noise
FanSided

5 bold predictions for the 49ers, the NFC West in 2019

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 30: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 and San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Elijah Lee #47 tackle Los Angeles Rams running back C.J. Anderson #35 during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 30: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 and San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Elijah Lee #47 tackle Los Angeles Rams running back C.J. Anderson #35 during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Running back David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals runs during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Running back David Johnson #31 of the Arizona Cardinals runs during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Cardinals’ David Johnson Leads the NFC West in Rushing

A year ago, Cardinals running back David Johnson had only 940 yards rushing and averaged just 3.6 yards per carry in the process.

Those numbers should have been higher, had Arizona’s offensive line avoided swarms of injuries and setbacks amid a lost year in the desert. Either way, Football Outsiders ranked the Cardinals O-line 25th in run support last season, and the hope is this unit will perform much better in 2019.

Perhaps enough to get Johnson the NFC West rushing title, which stands as our No. 4 bold prediction here.

Linemen J.R. Sweezy, Marcus Gilbert and Desmond Harrison are among the reinforcements to guard against further injury attrition — all of whom stand to give Johnson a better chance to make an impact this year.

True, the Cardinals used the top pick in this year’s NFL Draft to grab a new franchise quarterback, Kyler Murray. And while head coach Kliff Kingsbury will want to get the most out of Murray as soon as possible, he should also be wise enough to know a strong running game is a young quarterback’s best friend.

Johnson is arguably the Cards’ best weapon on offense, as veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hits the twilight of his career.

Arizona will likely lean early and often on Johnson’s services, meaning he’s going to see a ton of touches and could have a clear path to leading the division in rushing.