James Conner

Arizona Cardinals
Running Back #30
Arizona Cardinals
Running Back #30
James Conner James Conner
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James Conner News RotoBaller

James Conner Carries Cardinals To Week 7 Victory

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner totaled 152 yards on 21 touches in the Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cardinals struggled to sustain anything offensively unless Conner had the football. However, Conner failed to reach the end zone; his volume, which included 21 touches, made up for it. Conner made big play after big play and broke many tackles in Monday's win. Heading into Week 8, the Cardinals will take on the Miami Dolphins, and Conner should remain in all fantasy football starting lineups.

Oct 22, 2024 2:10 AM EST


James Conner Is A Low End RB2 In Week 7

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is a low-end RB2 in the Cardinals' Monday night showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cardinals have been committed to running the offense through Conner during the first six weeks of the season, and that plan is unlikely to change. Conner is in the top 10 in the NFL in carries, and the Cardinals also like to involve him in the screen game. The Chargers tend to drain the clock and limit their opponents' possessions, which could also reduce Conner's touches. However, Conner's workload should still be high enough to make him fantasy-relevant, albeit in a RB2 capacity.

Oct 19, 2024 9:55 PM EST



James Conner Receives Just Seven Carries In Week 6

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner ran the ball just seven times for 24 yards in Sunday's disappointing 34-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The Cardinals fell behind early and shifted to a pass-first game plan, diminishing Conner's role, though he did catch four passes for 22 yards. The Cardinals didn't adjust well to the weather and struggled to move the ball. Conner also dealt with ankle issues, although he was never on the injury report. With Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) going down with a concussion, the Cardinals could rely more on the rushing attack in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers, and fantasy managers should still trust Conner for that matchup.

Oct 14, 2024 10:48 AM EST


James Conner Accumulates 100 Total Yards In Upset Win Over 49ers

Despite facing what was expected to be his toughest matchup of the season, Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner had a solid performance, racking up 100 total yards from scrimmage and scoring a crucial two-point conversion against the San Francisco 49ers. The 29-year-old rushed 19 times for 86 yards and caught two of three targets for 14 yards in Sunday's win. After a challenging first half, the Cardinals shifted their offense to lean on Conner, giving him a total of 21 touches. He showcased his strength, breaking tackles and consistently pushing forward for tough yards. Notably, the Cardinals did not give any other running back a single carry in this game. With Conner firmly entrenched as the workhorse, he's a must-start against the Green Bay Packers next week in Week 6.

Oct 6, 2024 8:43 PM EST


James Conner Should Be Viewed As A Low-End RB2 In Week 5

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is a low-end RB2 against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. He quickly eased fantasy managers' concerns last week by bouncing back from a season-low performance, racking up 104 yards and a touchdown against the Washington Commanders last week. The Cardinals will face a solid 49ers front seven, which could lead to a tougher outing for Conner. The Cardinals are large underdogs, and if they find themselves trailing, they may shift to a pass-heavy attack, limiting Conner's usage. However, he still has enough touchdown upside to warrant RB2 status in Week 5.

Oct 4, 2024 3:15 PM EST



James Conner Returns To Form In Week 4 Loss

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner delivered another solid performance in Sunday's 42-14 loss to the Washington Commanders, rushing 18 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. After managing just 17 rushing yards in the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions, Conner quickly put those concerns to rest with a strong bounce-back effort. He ran the ball effectively, showing power to break through tacklers and displaying impressive bursts. Conner should remain a fixture in fantasy lineups, as the Cardinals' offense will likely continue to lean on him while trying to snap their scoring slump. The veteran running back will look to build on Sunday's performance in a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5.

Sep 29, 2024 9:34 PM EST


James Conner Passes Century Mark In Week 2 Win

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner took 21 carries for 122 rushing yards and a touchdown in the team's 41-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. He also caught his lone target of the game for a gain of two yards. Conner did lose the ball on the Rams' five-yard line in the fourth quarter, but tight end Trey McBride fell on top of it as it bounced ahead into the end zone to give the Cardinals their fifth touchdown of the game. The eighth-year veteran was as elusive as ever, forcing six missed tackles in the game. Thanks to the lopsided score, Conner ceded backfield duties to Trey Benson and Emari Demercado after his fumble but there is no question he is the top dog in Arizona's running backs room. In Week 3, Conner will be in the RB1 conversation again when the Cardinals take on the Detroit Lions.

Sep 16, 2024 5:00 AM EST


James Conner Primed For Another Top-12 Week

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner put up 83 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. He will look to do more of the same on Sunday in the Cardinals' home opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Fears that he might lose work to rookie Trey Benson were assuaged last week as Conner handled 16 of Arizona's 20 handoffs and was on the field for 67% of offensive snaps compared to Benson's 13% share. The Rams had one of the toughest run defenses in the league in 2023 but no longer have Aaron Donald anchoring their line. In Week 1, they gave up 131 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to the Lions. Conner should be locked into fantasy lineups this week and can be expected to put up another RB1 performance.

Sep 14, 2024 2:55 AM EST


James Conner Finds End Zone In Week 1

Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing described running back James Conner as the team's "bell cow" in recent comments to the media. Anyone left wondering how much Petzing's coachspeak could be trusted got their answer on Sunday. Conner handled the ball in each of the Cardinals' first six plays from scrimmage to open the game and paced the team's running backs with 16 rushing attempts. The eighth-year veteran gained 50 rushing yards and caught three passes for another 33 yards through the air. Conner scored his first touchdown of the season in the second quarter, taking the handoff from three yards out and punching it through the line for the score. Conner and the Cardinals next face the Rams, who allowed a combined 131 rushing yards and two touchdowns to David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Lions in Week 1.

Sep 9, 2024 4:46 AM EST


James Conner Retaining Starting Role For Week 1

When the Arizona Cardinals open their season on Sunday, it will mark running back James Conner's eighth as a pro, and his fourth with the team. Since joining the Cardinals in 2021, Conner has the eleventh-most carries in the league despite missing seven games due to injury over the last two seasons and starting only six games in 2021. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing recently told the media that Conner is "the bell cow in that room," signaling he will maintain his role despite rookie Trey Benson's presence on the depth chart. In 2023, Conner turned in his first 1,000-yard season and finished with the third-most rushing yards per game (80.0). The Buffalo Bills have a stout defense but last season had a weakness against running backs, allowing 4.4 yards per carry (eighth-worst in the NFL) and 6.33 yards per target (fourth-worst) to the position. Conner can be started as a solid RB2 option in Week 1.

Sep 7, 2024 5:33 AM EST


James Conner Confirmed As Bell Cow

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner "is the bell cow in that room," offensive coordinator Drew Petzing told the media on Tuesday. In simpler terms, Conner remains the primary option in Arizona's backfield. After all, there's no reason to reduce his workload given that he excelled in 2023. Last year, despite being 28 years old, he delivered 1,040 rushing yards, 165 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Now, entering his age-29 campaign, he remains a solid RB2 option for fantasy purposes. Petzing's comments come amidst speculation that rookie Trey Benson may eat into Conner's workload. While Arizona surely hopes Benson is their future franchise running back and could need him to carry the backfield at a moment's notice, the bell cow role still belongs to Conner for now.

Sep 4, 2024 12:15 AM EST


Trey Benson A Distant RB2 Behind James Conner?

ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler believes Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson is likely to cede the majority of rushing attempts to James Conner in 2024. After totaling 1,040 rushing yards in just 13 appearances last season, Conner is locked in as Arizona's lead back to start the campaign. However, the Cardinals selected Benson with the second pick in the third round of the NFL Draft to provide a change of pace in the backfield for this year. It's also worth noting that Conner is riding an expiring contract in 2024, which would figure to make him a trade candidate when we get closer to the deadline around midseason. Benson, 22, profiles similarly to a young J.K. Dobbins based on workout metrics, and he's unlikely to see more than the occasional carry on early downs as an RB4/5 luxury stash in fantasy drafts while Conner is around and healthy in the desert.

Aug 16, 2024 2:57 PM EST


James Conner Still The Focal Point Of Cardinals Backfield

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner, who is in a contract year, will very much remain the focal point for the team's backfield for the foreseeable future. Fowler thinks Conner still has untapped potential as an RB2 for fantasy managers after coming off a career-best 5.0 yards per carry and his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign in 2023. The only thing that could hold him back from a volume standpoint is durability. The 29-year-old has never played a full season in the NFL, so the Cardinals might manage his workload accordingly. But if his health cooperates, another 200-plus-carry season should be in the cards for Conner. Fantasy managers that roll with Conner as their RB2 would be wise to handcuff him later in drafts with rookie third-rounder Trey Benson, who should eventually leapfrog Emari Demercado as the primary backup in Arizona.

Aug 9, 2024 1:15 PM EST


James Conner Hopes To Build On 2023 Campaign

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner may have recorded a career-high 1,040 rushing yards in 2023, but he hopes that was his floor and he can build on that total in 2024. "That's the floor," Conner told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. "I want that to be the lowest I rush for in my career going forward. Definitely got a lot of work to put in but that's the floor, not the ceiling." Now 29 years old, Conner still has a solid grasp on the Cardinals' No. 1 running back role even after Arizona added Trey Benson in the draft. He has continued to show that he can make an impact on the ground and through the air, entering 2024 as a solid RB2 option in most fantasy football leagues.

Jul 15, 2024 7:07 PM EST


James Conner Says 1,000-Yard Season Is The "Floor"

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner has been one of the most underrated ball carriers in fantasy football over the last few years. The former Pittsburgh Steeler remained productive in his age-28 season last year, rushing 208 times for 1,040 yards and seven touchdowns and catching 27 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He finished as the RB18 in PPR formats despite missing four games due to injury. Heading into 2024, Conner expects more of the same. "That's the floor," Conner said (speaking of a 1,000-yard rushing season), "I want that to be the lowest I rush for in my career going forward." While Arizona selected Florida State running back Trey Benson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Conner is expected to maintain his workhorse role, at least early in the season. The Cardinals have an ascending offense, so Conner could be a tremendous value pick at RB25 cost in preseason drafts. That said, Conner has never played a full season, so be sure to stash high-upside backs behind him if you roster him.

Jul 12, 2024 4:15 PM EST


James Conner Wants To Finish His Career In Arizona

Arizona Cardinals veteran running back and team captain James Conner is heading into his eighth NFL season in 2024 and his fourth with the Cardinals. He's coming off his first 1,000-yard season as a professional and said he wouldn't mind finishing his NFL career in the desert. Conner has grown close to quarterback Kyler Murray, spending time together on numerous outings. The 29-year-old veteran is entering the last year of the three-year deal he signed in 2022, which has ended up being a bargain for the Cardinals. "It would be awesome to finish my career here, but nothing changes," Conner said. Rookie third-rounder Trey Benson could eventually take over Conner's spot as the team's lead back, but as far as 2024 in concerned, Conner should remain the team's lead back in what should be an improved offense.

Jun 2, 2024 1:20 PM EST


James Conner Shines In Season Finale

In a valiant effort during the Cardinals' 21-20 loss to the Seahawks, Arizona running back James Conner stood out with an impressive performance. Finishing with 27 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown, Conner added another dimension to his game with four receptions for 54 yards. Despite Conner's heroic late touchdown, the Seahawks managed to respond, denying the Cardinals the victory. This marked Conner's first 200-total-yard game of the season, capping off a remarkable quarter of the schedule where he amassed 514 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Conner's outstanding efforts contributed to the first 1,000-yard season of his career in just 13 games. As he enters the final year of his contract, Conner remains a strong contender for the starting role pending the outcome of Arizona's offseason moves.

Jan 8, 2024 12:55 AM EST


James Conner An RB1 Against Seattle In Week 18

Arizona running back James Conner's Week 17 heroics, amassing 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns, highlight his dominant form heading into Week 18. With a four-game scoring streak, Conner needs just 110 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Averaging 21.6 touches and 109.8 total yards since Week 13, he's a prime asset. Ranking 12th in explosive run rate, seventh in missed tackles forced per attempt, and eighth in yards after contact, Conner has been electric. Seattle's porous run defense, allowing the most yards and fifth-highest explosive run rate since Week 12, sets the stage for Conner's success in Week 18. Fantasy managers should confidently start him as he aims to continue his impressive run and end the season strong.

Jan 6, 2024 2:41 AM EST


James Conner With Stellar Performance

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner delivered a stellar performance in the Cardinals' Week 17 victory over the Eagles, amassing 128 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. He also showcased his versatility, catching a short pass from quarterback Kyler Murray for another touchdown. Conner's late-game heroics included a two-yard rushing score that secured the upset win with less than a minute remaining. The bruising tailback has been on a scoring streak lately, finding the end zone in the last four games. With an impressive 4.9 yards per carry average against the Eagles, Conner remains a vital asset for fantasy managers heading into the final game of the regular season against the Seahawks in Week 18.

Jan 1, 2024 3:25 AM EST


James Conner An RB1 For Week 17

Heading into Week 17, Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is enjoying a bit of a resurgence, showcasing his versatility with 16.8 touches and 79 total yards per game since his return. His involvement in the passing game has been on the rise, logging at least three targets in three of his last four outings. This season has arguably been Conner's best on a per-touch basis, ranking impressively in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced, and yards after contact. Week 17 presents a promising matchup against a faltering Philadelphia run defense, allowing the sixth-most rushing yards since Week 11. Despite a slightly subdued performance in Week 16, Conner's multi-faceted contributions make him a solid fantasy option, with optimistic expectations for a standout performance against Philadelphia. He should be viewed as an RB2 with RB1 upside for Week 17.

Dec 30, 2023 2:43 AM EST