After trading for him in October, the Arizona Cardinals are intent on keeping 26-year-old running back Kenyan Drake per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network
After spending the first six games of the season with the Miami Dolphins, Arizona made a deal for the former Alabama running back, sending a conditional sixth-round pick to Miami for the fourth-year pro.
After struggling in an ineffective offensive system in Miami, Drake was a pleasant surprise for the Cardinals.
With incumbent starter David Johnson out with injury, Drake recorded 15 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for an additional 52 yards in his first game as a Cardinal.
The former Dolphin continued to impress and by the end of the season, was the clear-cut No. 1 back in Arizona.
In eight games with his new team, Drake recorded 123 carries for 643 yards (5.2 YPC) and eight touchdowns on the ground and 171 additional yards as a pass-catcher.
Considering Drake registered just 123 rushing yards in six games with the Dolphins prior to the trade, it's safe to say the former third-round pick had a bit of a resurgence in Arizona.
With Drake's rookie deal running out after this past season, the 26-year-old is now a free agent. Johnson's three-year, $39 million contract that he signed in 2018 makes it hard for Arizona to waive him.
However, Drake appears to be the main back in Arizona going forward regardless of whether or not Johnson is on the team come next season.
Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim stated that releasing Johnson is simply “not an option” at this time.
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