Arizona Cardinals: KeeSean Johnson be top rookie receiver?

KeeSean Johnson was the third receiver selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 draft, but could he be their top rookie wideout in 2019?

The Arizona Cardinals selected three wide receivers in the 2019 draft but for all the attention given to Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler, it is the last one they picked, KeeSean Johnson, who appears to be making the biggest impression in training camp.

Johnson slipped to the sixth round while Isabella and Butler went in the second and fourth respectively. However, according to the Cardinals’ digital correspondent Mike Jurecki, it is former Fresno State receiver Johnson who continues to stand out in camp.

Jurecki praised Johnson for his smooth and athletic routes and his consistency in working back to the football.

Those plaudits tally with ESPN’s Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss’ assessment of Johnson. Weinfuss was also complimentary of Johnson’s route-running and pass-catching and predicted that he would enter the season as the third receiver on Arizona’s depth chart behind Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk.

Johnson excelling should be no surprise to those who saw him at the East-West Shrine Game, where he was one of the best receivers on display.

And, with his history of strong production at Fresno State — where he had 1,340 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior — the Cardinals can afford to have hope they have unearthed a gem who can develop into a crucial part of head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense.

Having been overlooked for the Senior Bowl and then had to wait until the third day to hear his name called, Johnson will not be lacking in motivation to prove he was worthy of going much earlier. If he continues to produce the goods in camp, the opportunity to do so should arrive pretty quickly for a receiver who looks well-positioned to start the season ahead of Isabella and Butler on the depth chart.