James Conner

Trey Benson (value, 2024 3rd-round pick) remains the future despite missing all of 2025 with a meniscus injury. The Cardinals also have Bam Knight, Michael Carter, and Emari Demercado who handled the committee all season, demonstrating Arizona's comfort with RBBC approaches.

Conner underwent season-ending foot surgery in Week 3 of 2025 and is expected to return in 2026, but he will enter the 2026 season at 31 years old and less than a year removed from significant ankle surgery. Foot/ankle injuries are notoriously slow to recover and limit explosiveness in RBs.

There is a potential out for the Cardinals after the 2025 season that would see Arizona only accrue a $2.25 million dead cap hit if they decide to part ways with Conner. Arizona may pivot to younger options, particularly Trey Benson, a 2024 third-round pick who led the team in rushing through two weeks of 2025.

New OC Nathaniel Hackett runs a wide-zone system in which Allgeier has the most proven experience. Conner profiles better as a between-the-tackles and receiving back — the exact archetype this scheme deprioritizes at the feature level.

A foot injury ended Conner's 2025 season after just 3 games. Foot injuries at age 30 raise serious concerns about burst and long-term durability — the same explosiveness that made him a productive goal-line back may be permanently compromised.

Conner's $6.3M salary for 2026 provides roster security, guaranteeing he'll be on the team heading into the season if healthy enough to play. This is notable given his injury status.

Trey Benson missed the entire 2025 season with a meniscus injury that never healed properly, creating doubt about his durability heading into 2026. This leaves Conner as the most proven back on the roster if he returns healthy.

Reports indicate Conner has the best hands in Arizona's backfield. In a Hackett-run offense featuring Kyler Murray, he could secure a defined passing-down role — providing modest PPR floor if healthy, particularly in red-zone situations.

When healthy, Conner has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his last two full campaigns (2023-2024) and consistently led the Cardinals in rushing since arriving in 2021. If he returns to even 80% of prior form, he maintains RB2 utility in PPR formats.

Both Trey Benson (meniscus, IR 2025) and Tyler Allgeier carry injury risk entering the season. If either misses significant time, Conner could absorb lead-back volume in an offense with elite skill talent around him (Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride).

If Arizona deals Conner to a backfield with less competition, he could reclaim a bridge-starter role for one final season — multiple teams have been identified as logical landing spots, which could modestly stabilize dynasty value.