PHX Reporter

As the Arizona Cardinals conclude their offseason activities, players are now away from the facility. Many have indicated that this period is not a break from football but rather time spent away from the facility, with hopes that they remain focused and ready to report to Glendale for training camp on July 23. In preparation for camp, azcardinals.com is evaluating each position group. The next focus is on running backs.

Locks: James Conner, Trey Benson

James Conner is coming off his first 1,000-yard rushing season. Running back coach Jonathan Gannon referred to him as "the blueprint," but Conner remains unsatisfied. The 29-year-old described his 1,040-yard performance in 2023 as "the floor, not the ceiling." This mindset is understandable as he enters a contract year. With an offensive line aiming to create more opportunities before first contact, Conner is expected to have another significant season in Drew Petzing's run-first offense.

Trey Benson shows many similarities to Conner when reviewing his collegiate film. Both are 6-foot-1 running backs who embrace contact and possess explosive ground abilities. Benson can seamlessly step into the huddle when Conner is sidelined without disrupting the offense's rhythm. Selected as the second running back in the 2024 draft, Benson was one of the top prospects at his position and is anticipated to make an early impact in his NFL career.

Work To Do: Michael Carter, DeeJay Dallas, Emari Demercado, Tony Jones

During Conner's stint on injured reserve in 2023, multiple running backs rotated through his absence. Emari Demercado distinguished himself as a strong pass blocker while mid-season acquisition Michael Carter also performed well on the field. DeeJay Dallas is expected to contribute primarily on special teams; however, it will be interesting to see which among Carter, Demercado, Dallas, and potentially Jones secures a game-day jersey. Carter’s late-season emergence in 2023 might give him an advantage.

Upgrade Odds: Low

The competition for RB2 and RB3 positions is one of the more underrated battles heading into training camp. With Benson’s draft selection and Dallas’ addition via free agency, the Cardinals have already bolstered their running back room.