Wedge Scouting Report: David Johnson

DavidJohnson3Wedge ID

     I’ve travelled the universe and been to many of the largest galaxies known to aliens.  Giant galaxies with huge planets which pull hundreds of moons around themselves.  Eye opening to say the least.  To be honest though, some of the greatest treasures in the Universe can be found on the smallest parcel of land on the smallest star in the smallest galaxy.  Football isn’t much different.  Every once in a while a small school prospect stands out.  In this case, David Johnson of Northern Iowa.

DavidJohnson1

     What’s the first thing Earthlings say when they look at a small school prospect?  Can he compete at the next level?  The disparity between his puny conference and the NFL is too great a leap.  Can he take the physicality of the NFL?  Well in Johnson’s case one of his best performances was against a big school in a big time conference.  Against Iowa, David Johnson had one of his best performances compiling over 230 total yards – most of them receiving yards when his team was trailing.

DavidJohnson2

     If that stat isn’t a dead give away to this running back’s talents, let me make it clear to you.  He is an excellent receiving threat out of the backfield.  Most Dolfans can remember  watching Tony Nathan or Terry Kirby.  Well, maybe David Johnson is the next great receiving running back for the Dolphins!

DavidJohnson4

     What is unique about Johnson is that not only is he a great receiving back, he is a big back.  The 6’3 225 lbs back had 17 TDs on the ground in 2014 for Northern Iowa.  That might be the perfect compliment to Lamar Miller.  A big back who can be an asset in the passing game and in the red zone.

 DavidJohnson6

     He was extremely productive in his four years at Northern Iowa.  Johnson was the second leading receiver on the team and had over 500 yards receiving in 2014.  He carried the ball 866 and rushed for almost 4900 yards in his college career.  I guess the coaches there knew what they had and used him a lot.

DavidJohnson5

     Johnson had a pretty good combine, so people are really starting to notice him.  He ran the 40 yard dash in 4.50 and posted a vertical jump over 41 inches!  And I’m sure I dont have to say it, but he caught the ball well in the catching drills as well.  It’s not a surprise that some experts are comparing Johnson to last year’s premier receiving back in the draft, Charles Sims.  If I was going to compare Johnson to an Alien Weapon of Destruction, I would compare Johnson to the Puutonian Tractor Beam.  It catches everything!

DavidJohnsonBeam

Watch him in a action in this clip Earthlings!

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316 Responses to Wedge Scouting Report: David Johnson

  1. The Flying Pig says:

    No WR free agents

    Cobb is overrated anyway
    And he will be overpaid wherever he goes

  2. Silly Tim says:

    Suh is going to be looking for BIG money, like close to 6-7 years $100M. The Lions have also said they’re not letting him get away.

    • The Flying Pig says:

      They won’t franchise him
      So they need to sign him fast

      I feel bad for the team that gives him 15m a year

      • Silly Tim says:

        They made it clear to other teams, you’re not getting him and they will franchise him if they can’t sign him long-term. Suh has told people close to him he’s done in Detroit so unless they pay him top dollar and he accepts a long deal for big money, they’ll keep him around with the franchise tag. That’s their only leverage.

  3. Mike E. says:

    Piggy – I agree no big name WR FA’s. Let’s just draft what we need. No overpaying for FA WR’s.

    • The Flying Pig says:

      Elite WRs don’t hit the market
      Cobb is not an upper tier receiver this league
      Landry is probably better

      We can draft our own cobbs

      • Silly Tim says:

        I lean the way of no big time FA WRs too. In fact I’d prefer to go solid across the board with proven players but not ‘elite’ players. Try to find those in the draft.

  4. Silly Tim says:

    Target another Gibson type 3 years $11M, preferably more size and/or speed (Crabtree), and re-sign Clay to his market, and you helped the team without going bonkers over spending. Clay is a proven playmaker. Then draft a quality WR you expect to be part of the offense, not a project.

  5. jetsssuck says:

    i say pick up starter for OL in FA then in draft draft OL again in 1st then receiver in second.Now if the defensive player of DE/OLB is there then we have to give the defense a impact

    • stangerx says:

      Agree on an FA OL……and I’d go big on that. Talking Franklin or Iupati. After we free up cap room, add in a solid starting WR as well. Then in the first grab a WR or DT and fill in the one you didn’t take in the 2nd or 3rd with an ILB in the other round. We got enough on roster to fill the other G spot.

  6. olddolphan says:

    GOOD NEWS FROM BOCA RATON: FAU won both ends of today’s double header against Monmouth University (of New Jersey) by scores of 11-0 and 9-0. FAU totalled 29 runs in sweeping the 3-game series, upping their record to 9-2. After playing 2 games against North Florida early this week, the Owls will take on another New Jersey school, Rutgers, in a 3-game series.

  7. Brian in NY says:

    Tim,
    No way I want Crabtree on this team.

    • stangerx says:

      Think there is no way they go from Wallace to Crabtree……and don’t even think about both.

      How was the cruise? And what stops? With your brood I’m thinking Mickey Mouse may have been involved.

      • Brian in NY says:

        Lol! Not this time with Mickey, but definitely in the future! We took the NCL Breakaway out of NYC. Weather sucked, but we had a great time in spite of it. How was Park City?

      • Silly Tim says:

        Not saying Crabtree replaces Wallace, he replaces Hartline/Gibson. I’m still considering Wallace on the other side and Landry inside until we know otherwise. Then we draft a WR we expect to play, preferably a big WR who can make plays, not just a keep the chains moving guy.

        If we release Wallace, we’ll draft two WRs.

      • stangerx says:

        Oddly my weather sucked too. Been one of the worst Rocky winters in years……but I was still hitting the slopes for the first time in over a decade, and was pleased.

        So take it you made it down to the Bahamas?

  8. Brian in NY says:

    Tim,

    Also, the Lions won’t be tagging Suh unless they are POSITVE they can parlay that into a long term deal. His tag number is over $26 million.

    • Silly Tim says:

      Just going by what the Lions said. The CBA really messed the system up. It’s crazy.

      Why are you so down on Crabtree as a middle of the road WR?

      • Brian in NY says:

        I don’t know if you remember me talking about it, but my brother is a Noner seasson ticket holder. Crabtree is a bit of a diva. Remember he held out 6 or 8 game in his rookie season becasue of contract demands. I just don’t think he’s even close to worth it.

      • Brian in NY says:

        Niner season

  9. Silly Tim says:

    I think we will sign a guard in FA but not the top guy. We’ll find a ZBS fit who has some experience and proven ability. The same at DT. That at least fortifies the lines a little bit. I think we do the same at WR and DB, maybe even LB. I can see Turner, Thomas, Smith, Johnson, Francis, Tripp, Taylor and Aikens definitely in the mix to start this year, or play significantly.

    So the draft may not have to be as dire need as we think. Follow your board and take the BPAs at need who rank properly.

    • Brian in NY says:

      I’m fine with that. We have three former first round picks on the OL, and two are making big money. You can have the cream of the crop at every position. It’s really important that Turner develops into a dependable starter next season, and we get a good OL in FA or the 2nd or 3rd round (Marpet?) as well.

    • Mike E. says:

      I hope for GDP’s sake it’s Clint Boling. He actually does seem like a good fit here.

  10. Brian in NY says:

    Tim,

    Crabtree is not going to be happy being the #3 WR.

    • Silly Tim says:

      He would be one of 3 in our 3 WR spread offense.

      Wallace/Rookie
      Landry
      Crabtree

      I’m not signing him to big time money like he’s our savior. In his 7th season I consider him a good option as a possession guy on the outside.

  11. The Flying Pig says:

    Brian

    Thanks for reminding everyone about Crabtree

    He definitively has a diva rep
    And he is not a lockerroom leader or notable hard worker

    We want to get rid of some one like Wallace and bring in some one like Crabtree
    Well that makes as much sense as getting rid of Marshall and then bring in Wallace

    Crabtree had on field issues with Vernon Davis when the 49ers were coached by harbaugh

    And in terms of his play
    He really doesn’t do anything exceptionally well and just completely disappears for games

    I don’t real care much for Crabtree

  12. Brian in NY says:

    Stanger,

    One stop in Port Canaveral- went on an airboat ride, my son held a baby alligator and an albino python, and I held a Capuchin monkey. We had to skip one stop in the Bahamas because the tenders weren’t going to be able to dock as a result of the waves. We spent an extra half day in Nassau, which would have been great if not for the driving rain/wind on the first day, and the high winds the second. They said it was the coldest it’s been there in ten years this time of year.

    • Mike E. says:

      Glad you had a good time despite the weather. Capuchins are those little guys that are always in movies, right?

    • stangerx says:

      Just in case you missed that it was the scene of a now infamous crime — I got married in Nassau. And after the wedding won the dance contest at Senior Frogs (but believe me that was more comedy than skill).

      Sounds like a good trip though. My advice would be to hit a plane next time. Even better to catch a cruise out of San Juan. Even out of FL it’s two days to hit a real stop. Every day out of Puerto Rico and you don’t have to hit the rocky part going over the Gulfstream/Northern current border.

      • Brian in NY says:

        Lol! I remember that now! The no flying thing with three kids was very appealing. We probably wouldn’t have made it out Saturday AM with the weather we had too. You are right though- the ship was rocking pretty good the first few nights. The outdoor decks were closed for the first two days becasue of the winds.

  13. Mike E. says:

    Jake Fisher OT Oregon is a guy I’d be interested in for our team. Not sure if he’s a 2nd or 3rd RD pick, but he moves very well. Former TE with good size 6’6″ 306.

  14. Mike E. says:

    Bri

    Do you mean if the ship is a rockin’ don’t come a knockin’?

  15. Silly Tim says:

    Brian, okay a WR with Crabtree’s skills as a vet to keep the WR core from being too green at a solid cost. LOL

    • Brian in NY says:

      Honestly, I’d rather re-sign Hartline at a lower price if he’s willing. Proceed with caution regarding Crabtree…

      • stangerx says:

        Like Hartline. And lots of WRs on the market in the draft. Would easily take him back at a lower price.

  16. Brian in NY says:

    Mike,

    I feel like that every year; we have so many needs and not enough picks. Except for the year we did and Ireland traded them all away.

    • Mike E. says:

      That was both infuriating and exciting at the same time. I had such high hopes for Jordan, and we turned that into a big pile of dino droppings.

  17. Mike E. says:

    I don’t want Crabtree. Not at all, and I especially don’t want to pay free market price for him

  18. Mike E. says:

    Your score is: 5711 (GRADE: A)

    Your Picks:
    Round 1 Pick 14: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (Fla.) (B)
    Round 2 Pick 15: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma (A)
    Round 3 Pick 14: Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson (B+)
    Round 4 Pick 15: Senquez Golson, CB, Ole Miss (A)
    Round 5 Pick 14: Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina (A)
    Round 6 Pick 15: Karlos Williams, RB, Florida State (A-)
    Round 7 Pick 15: Derrick Lott, DT, Chattanooga (A)

    Cooper, White and Parker were all gone at #14

  19. Mike E. says:

    I’m really hoping we get Kevin White. I think he would be Tannehill’s bestest friend ever. He could help this offense take a step forward.

    • Brian in NY says:

      Me too Mike. I heard Ereck Flowers interviewed on the local ESPN radio show (no-names, but they oddly pull some big time guests) and he is about as humble a person as you can be.

      • Mike E. says:

        There are so many ways we can help our team, but we must get some impact players, and I think Kevin White is going to be a serious impact player.

      • Brian in NY says:

        But you know what’s going to happen: he’ll be on the board at 14, and we’ll pick an OL.

    • getterdone says:

      That could be an exciting duo to watch.

  20. Mike E. says:

    Anyone here watch the series Black Sails?

  21. getterdone says:

    The Dolphins have “internally discussed” free agent CBs Brandon Flowers and Kareem Jackson.
    Both Flowers and Jackson serve as outside corners in their base defense and can cover the slot in sub-packages. So it may be telling that these two types of corners are on the Dolphins’ radar. Miami is expected to cut Cortland Finnegan soon, and will be a player on the free agent cornerback market.
    _________________________________
    WOW, this is surprising. I think I’d pass on both of these guys. Besides costing too much, both are smallish like Grimes. I want a bigger CB. They do have some flexibility, but I rather see the money spent in the trenches 1st.

    • The Flying Pig says:

      Smallish CBs are fine in a zone scheme

      They aren’t playing man

      Some of my favorite CBs of the draft are smallish

  22. The Flying Pig says:

    Kevin White would be my dream pick

    I would love it if out offseason went a little like this
    Sign Iupati
    Sign a vet DT

    1 Kevin White/Jaelen Strong
    2 Denzel Perryman
    3 Ifo, Sequez or some other DB even a S
    4 another LB or WR
    5 another LB or WR whichever we don’t take in 4th
    The LB would be an OLB and the WR would be a speed guy like Dorsett or Diggs
    6 RB
    7 maybe another DB?

    I would prefer we use our cap space to get reliable OL and DL and try to find some you playmakers in the draft – difference makers

  23. Silly Tim says:

    I don’t get why everyone is so down on Crabtree. He has scored one less TD than Hartline and Gibson combined during the same time span and he would replace both of them at half the cost. Landry replaced Gibson and took away targets from Hartline. So did Clay. I don’t see Crabtree getting big money on the open market. But fine if everyone here thinks he’s a cancer, give me another name.

    • The Flying Pig says:

      If we need to sign Crabtree, it’s not to replace Hartline or Gibson it’s to replace Wallace

      And Wallace is a better WR than Crabtree

      Crabtree has underwhelmed his whole career
      I don’t want to get any WR in free agency

      We should get playmakers via the draft and spend money in free agency and reliable vets to dominate up front

      I think that is a much more successful formula then using free agency to go after playmakers.

      • Mike E. says:

        Crabtree couldn’t do anything until the Niners got Boldin. Even when they did get Boldin, Boldin was almost always the first target, and Boldin is old now.

      • Silly Tim says:

        Why would he replace Wallace, he’s not the same player? He’s more like Hartline and Gibson in the possession world. I keep hearing you guys says that and I don’t get it. Sign him to man one outside spot, and if we move Wallace the rookie big WR replaces him. Not sure why you guys keep turning this around. Crabtree does not replace Wallace. LOL

  24. getterdone says:

    Tim, I mentioned Eddie Royal, Hakeem Nicks, & Cecil Shorts the other day.

    • getterdone says:

      They could give us good vet leadership, good play & not break the bank like Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, or even Cobb.

  25. Mike E. says:

    I like Black Sails. It’s taking a little long to develop, but I still enjoy it.

  26. Silly Tim says:

    Mike E. says:
    March 1, 2015 at 7:42 pm
    Crabtree couldn’t do anything until the Niners got Boldin. Even when they did get Boldin, Boldin was almost always the first target, and Boldin is old now.

    Not true. Go look at the numbers. He had his best years before Boldin, by a lot.

    • Mike E. says:

      I thought Boldin was there in ’12, it was ’13. Either way, an old Boldin is better than Crabtree. Crabtree is soft, and I never liked his game.

  27. getterdone says:

    I forgot to mention Leonard Hankerson, he’s just 26, has had poor QB play. He still intrigues me. A lot of guys here liked him out of Miami back when he was drafted by the Skins.
    He’s 6’2 211 & could definitely replace Hartline….IMO.

  28. The Flying Pig says:

    Tim

    It’s not a question of who the player is

    We really don’t need to use free agency to bring in WRs unless we part ways with Wallace

    We can draft a WR

  29. The Flying Pig says:

    I just hate the idea of shedding salary on our vet WRs just to spend it all over again

    Gibson was decent in the system
    Hartline has been reliable over the years

    So dump them to create sal cap space
    Then spend that space in new guys???

    I don’t get that
    Spend the money to get being talent in
    We need to make a run at a player like Iupati – an elite player

    Avg players give is avg results

    We can surround our high prices guys with young guys
    We just have to make sure out high priced are worth the money we spend

    Albert is worth the money
    I think Pouncey is worth big $
    Tanny is
    Clay is worth a high salary
    Iupati is too – go get Iupati

    We can being in young guys at WR, LB and DB and maybe they will be difference makers if we draft well

    • getterdone says:

      A guy like Leonard Hankerson isn’t overspending and he can compete for a #2,#3,#4 spot on the roster with Matthews, Hazel, and the WR/s we draft.

      • The Flying Pig says:

        No Hankerson would be a good pickup

        But we would be asking him to what he has never done

  30. The Flying Pig says:

    Tim

    If we sign Crabtree
    And overpay him
    Which we will to sign him
    The fan base will hate him within a year, just like Wallace

  31. The Flying Pig says:

    People on twitter are talking about Jerry Maclin
    I hate that idea even more than Crabtree or Cobb

  32. getterdone says:

    Ok, well there you have it Tim, you wanted a name/s besides Crabtree. My .2 cents has been spent. 😉

  33. finfanrob says:

    Mike E. says:
    March 1, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    Anyone here watch the series Black Sails?

    nope but but the series Black Tails is quite fulfilling

  34. finfanrob says:

    The Flying Pig says:
    March 1, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    Gibson was decent at dropping passes in the system

    there you go piggy, had to fix it for you

  35. finfanrob says:

    The Flying Pig says:
    March 1, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    I always fall right asleep after I finish…I mean it’s finished

    lol. has anyone ever seen the end of a porno?

  36. Silly Tim says:

    I give up, lol. I have stated clearly about not overspending at WR in FA, but adding a quality vet who is proven. Then drafting one early (a big playmaking WR), and I feel like I’m getting rebuttals for the opposite. I can’t say it any differently. Over spending for Crabtree? I specifically said not to do that.

    Someone else like that then. Not everyone in the NFL costs less than a million a year. You have to pay for talent at some point.

    • getterdone says:

      I’m right there with ya. Adding another vet is hedging the risk of just drafting WR’s that may or may not develop as well as take time that Philbin/Hickey may not have.

    • The Flying Pig says:

      We have to overspend for most vets
      I think that is just the reality

      • Silly Tim says:

        So don’t overspend. I said offer Crabtree Gibson type money. If not him, someone like that who has experience and can be productive so we’re not so green at WR.

  37. getterdone says:

    Sources tell Metro New York that the Jets will not attempt to re-sign free agent OG Willie Colon.
    It’s not a surprise after Colon’s performance fell off a cliff in 2014. He was a major part of the problem on a sub-par Jets offensive line. Turning 32 next month, Colon should not be pursued by other teams as an expected starter.

    The Jets are expected to “actively pursue” the free agent guard market.
    Orlando Franklin, Clint Boling, and James Carpenter are mentioned as potential targets. Stefen Wisniewski, Justin Blalock, and Todd Herremans are also free agents. The Jets arguably need new starters at both guard spots.

  38. Silly Tim says:

    GD, you either protect Tannehill and give him weapons after taking some away, with Clay and Wallace still waiting in the balance, or you play around there which is something I hope we don’t do.

    I’m intrigued to see what we do. I think more cuts are coming and the team is being re-tooled and structured. No doubt.

    • getterdone says:

      Yeah it’s kinda scary, uncharted waters so to speak with dumping 2 WR’s so far, likely a LB or two as well as DB’s, DT’s & OL.
      We got to get better, but that is a lot of changing of the roster for one year.
      You kept saying it wasn’t so much bad coaching as it was a void of talent.
      So here we go….lol. I hope they get it right!

      Go Hickey!

  39. Brian in NY says:

    Tim,
    I think the overspending point was that typically you overspend in free agency (I get it, you didn’t say overspend). The not wanting Crabtree part, well that pretty much includes everyone here except for you! I’ll take a lot of veteran FA receiviers before I’d even think about bringing him in. Leave Hartline out there for a bit and see if he comes a hell of a lot cheaper.

  40. The Flying Pig says:

    I’m just saying

    If you could turn back the clock and do the offseason of ’13 again

    Would you sign Wallace, Hartline and Gibson?
    Or would you draft 2 samurais and spend you $ up front

    We have the same opportunity now
    And Tanny has 2 years more experience
    So young WRs are a little less risky

    Let’s go draft some playmakers!

    • Brian in NY says:

      Piggy,

      I didn’t want Wallace, thought we gave Hartline too much, and liked the Gibson signing. Landry made him expendable the second he was drafted. I think this may be the year we draft a WR in the 1st again, depending who is left on the board. Cleveland at 12 scares me a bit.

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