Cardinals 2024 position breakdown: Running backs

Throughout training camp, PHNX Sports will provide an overview of each of the Cardinals’ position groups with a look at the likely starters, the challengers and players who could provide depth.

To view past position breakdowns, follow these links (more links will be added once those stories are published):

• Offensive line
• Defensive line
• Defensive backs
• Receivers/tight ends
• Linebackers
• Quarterbacks

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Cardinals running backs

Projected starter: James Conner

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner may not always get the respect nationally, but he earned plenty of it locally when he rushed for a career-high 1,040 yards last season on a career-high five yards per carry — two seasons after posting a career-high 15 touchdowns. 

Per Pro Football Reference, Conner had 581 yards before contact and 459 yards after contact. Both figures were career-bests and the most since his rookie season. There is no doubt in the eyes of his coach that Conner was the starting running back when the Cardinals opened training camp last week.

“I think the first thing is his heart,” said Jonathan Gannon, who views Conner as a model for how all players should conduct themselves. “He truly cares about the team like you want him to care about the team. He puts himself behind the team.

“If I was telling my eight year old, ‘Hey, you come to practice and you look out there and you follow one guy’, he would be in that conversation. I think his willingness to grow and improve his game — even being the successful, unbelievable player that he’s been in year whatever, coming up on 30 — he’s always trying to tinker and get better and learn more and grasp more and understand the ‘why’ better. It’s really special to see. The guy’s routine is something to model your game after.” 

Thanks in great part to Conner, the Cardinals were the NFL’s fourth-best rushing offense in 2023, averaging nearly 140 yards per game and more than five rushing yards per play. But here’s the hard truth. Conner just turned 29 in May. The research detailing the decline of running backs near the 30-year-old mark is both consistent and decades long.

Conner is entering the final year of his contract and will no doubt be looking to buck the trend, but Arizona already has a potential replacement waiting in the wings.

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Potential backups: Michael Carter, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado.

Carter fell out of favor with the New York Jets last season, who eventually released him. The Cardinals claimed him and he became the primary backup to Conner.

It’s not inconceivable that, given his knowledge of the offense, Carter could start the season in that same role, but third-round pick (No. 66) Trey Benson will be looking to unseat him, Emari Demercado has a case as a third-down back, and free-agent DeeJay Dallas is also in the mix.

Benson ran for more than 1,900 yards and 23 touchdowns the past two seasons at Florida State. The eyeball test tells you that Benson (6 feet, 216 pounds) looks the part of an every-down back. He’s a physical runner with a good fifth gear that earned him a funny nickname.

“Once I get to second level… my teammates used to call me Forrest Gump.”

Arizona Cardinals RB Trey Benson explains his mentality on breaking big runs. @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/rmndvkJJrY

— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) May 10, 2024

Benson is the heir apparent at this position, and he has the right approach to the game according to his coach.

“I try to joke around with him at times and he doesn’t. It kinda pisses me off.”

Arizona Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon jokes how serious rookie RB Trey Benson has been. @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/iLJqcNxnMw

— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) July 26, 2024

Demercado had an impressive 58 carries for 284 yards (4.9 average) last season with a pair of touchdowns.

Others in the mix: DeeJay Dallas, Tony Jones.

Dallas signed a three-year deal in March worth $8.25 million ($2.395 million guaranteed). Seattle, which selected Dallas in the fourth round in 2020, used him primarily as a punt and kick returner.

Jones has been with four teams since leaving Notre Dame as an undrafted free agent in 2020. The Cardinals elevated him to the 53-man roster in November last season.

The Cardinals have some interesting decisions to make at this position. While there is room on an expanded practice squad (now 17 players deep), the Cardinals only kept three running backs on their initial 53-man roster last season.

Top photo of James Conner via Getty Images

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