If speed kills, then Tennessee Titans running back is an assassin. The blazing fast East Carolina product may not have been too well known entering the NFL, but he quickly grabbed the attention of fans and collectors by flashing big play ability from day one.
Scouts certainly knew about Johnson, as he gashed Memphis for 301 yards and Boise State for 223 yards as a senior. His undeniable speed was reinforced when he ran a 4.24-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, the fastest time ever captured since the event began using electronic timing devices.
Still, some figured the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Johnson for a third down back or a return specialist. Desperate for playmakers on offense, the Titans liked Johnson enough to take him in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, passing over all the available wide receivers in the process.
The move turned out to be a shrewd one. Johnson's speed translated immediately to the NFL game, and he ranked first among rookies and seventh among all backs in rushing yards after ten weeks. He also showed soft hands in the passing game, and the presence of LenDale White meant he didn't have to carry Tennessee's ground game alone.
As fast as Johnson gets to the corner, collectors are jumping on his bandwagon equally quickly. Though the values of his rookie cards trailed those of fellow rookie Darren McFadden when the 2008 season began, Johnson's role in the Titans' 9-0 start had him gaining ground in a hurry. Expect his late season cards from products like SP Authentic and Playoff Contenders to be in very high demand.
2008 Chris Johnson Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 276 - autographed jersey card #'d to 299
- Bowman # 185
- Bowman Chrome # BC76
- Bowman Sterling # 156A - jersey card #'d to 569
- Donruss Classics # 230 - autographed, #'d to 499
- Donruss Elite # 120 - #'d to 999
- Donruss Gridiron Gear # 204 - autographed jersey card #'d to 100
- Donruss Threads # 276 - autographed, #'d to 140
- Finest # 116 - #'d to 699
- Leaf Certified Materials # 213 - jersey card #'d to 599
- Leaf Limited # 304 - jersey card #'d to 99
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 207 - autographed, #'d to 166
- Leaf Rookies and Stars Longevity # 207 - autographed, #'d to 10
- Playoff Prestige # 115
- Score # 348
- Select # 348 - #'d to 999
- SP Rookie Edition # 108
- SP Rookie Threads # CJ44 - autographed w/ total print run of 252
- SPx # 153 - autographed jersey card #'d to 599
- Stadium Club # 117 - #'d to 1799
- Topps # 351
- Topps Chrome # TC186
- Topps Kickoff # 183
- Topps Letterman # 68 - #'d to 419
- Topps Rookie Progression # 207
- UD Masterpieces # 38
- Upper Deck First Edition # 157
- Upper Deck Icons # 116 - #'d to 750
- Upper Deck Premier # 105 - autographed jersey card #'d to 275