Who Should I Start? Kareem Hunt or James Conner

Saturday, July 26, 8:30 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, not surprisingly, got the first running-back touches during the rush period in Friday's practice. While that doesn't come as a surprise, Elijah Mitchell worked as the No. 2 back ahead of Kareem Hunt, rookie Brashard Smith, and Carson Steele. While it's still early, it serves as a bit of a surprise to see Mitchell working ahead of Kareem Hunt, who led the team's backfield while Pacheco was injured in 2024. A lot can change over the next month or so, but Mitchell would hold a significant amount of fantasy value as a handcuff if he breaks camp as Pacheco's main backup. Stay tuned.

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.