Who Should I Start? James Conner or D'Andre Swift

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.

Wednesday, June 4, 12:39 PM

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift wants his production to be "undeniable" as the team's lead back in 2025, and he's been putting in the work to be physically ready for a heavy workload, reports Marquee Sports Network's Scott Bair. Swift will need to improve on his 2024 campaign to hold off Roschon Johnson after averaging a career-low 3.8 yards per carry. The 26-year-old worked with new head coach Ben Johnson during their time together in Detroit, and Johnson called Swift a "fierce competitor." The Bears only added RB Kyle Monangai in the seventh round of this year's NFL draft, so Swift figures to open the 2025 season as the starter in Chicago's backfield. It's unclear exactly how the workload will be split up in Johnson's backfield, but based on volume alone, Swift should be in play as an RB2 in fantasy.