Who Should I Start? James Conner or Trey Benson

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.

Thursday, June 12, 9:11 PM

Arizona Cardinals second-year running back Trey Benson said that he's added seven pounds this offseason but is also more explosive going into his sophomore campaign. "That's my mindset: Two RB1s," Benson said. The team's other RB1 is of course James Conner, who is a workhorse but is no stranger to injuries. The 22-year-old former third-rounder (66th overall) last year out of Florida State took a clear back seat to Conner in 2024, carrying the ball just 63 times for 291 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and one touchdown while catching all six of his targets for 59 yards in 13 games (one start). He missed the final three games with an ankle injury. Benson has the size and speed to be a workhorse himself, but that's not going to happen unless Conner misses time with injury in 2025. He is still more of a dynasty stash than a redraft target, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 46 fantasy RB.