Who Should I Start? James Conner or Calvin Ridley

Thursday, May 29, 1:04 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) took part in voluntary organized team activities on Wednesday. "I'm ready," Conner said. "We ain't doing this forever." Conner injured his right knee in Week 16 of last year and had six touches before being pulled in Week 17. The Cardinals placed him on Injured Reserve for the Week 18 regular-season finale, but the 30-year-old veteran appears to be fine now and ready to go for the start of the 2025 season this fall. He racked up a career-high 1,518 scrimmage yards on 236 carries while catching 47 of 55 targets in 2024. It was the healthiest Conner had been in his career, so fantasy managers definitely should expect some more missed time given his age and physical running style. For now, he's still being considered a workhorse back in Arizona, but more injuries could give Trey Benson more of a role eventually.

Saturday, June 21, 1:32 PM

TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt writes that Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley looks really bought in in his second season with the team. Wyatt says that Ridley looks more eager to work and embrace quarterback Cam Ward and the other rookies around him. In addition, he should benefit from having more skilled players around him in 2025. The 30-year-old wideout had his second straight 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024 and the third in his career, but he went from eight touchdowns in 2023 with Jacksonville to only four in Tennessee. There might be a little more competition for targets this year, but Ridley is still the unquestioned WR1, and he could benefit from Ward being under center instead of Will Levis. Ridley has a safe floor as a WR3/flex, but how successful he is in 2025 will ultimately come down to how consistent Ward can be in his rookie season.