Who Should I Start? Latavius Murray or James Conner

Thursday, July 31, 1:24 PM

Veteran running back Latavius Murray is retiring from the NFL, Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reports. Murray was originally a sixth-round pick (181st overall) in the 2013 NFL draft out of Central Florida by the Oakland Raiders. The 35-year-old spent the first three years of his NFL career in Oakland before then joining the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints for two years each. Murray bounced around with the Baltimore Ravens, Saints, Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills his last three seasons. He finishes his 10-year NFL career with 6,552 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns on 1,560 attempts while catching 239 passes for 1,620 yards and two more TDs in 151 regular-season games. Murray was a Pro Bowler once in 2015 with the Raiders, when he had 1,066 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He had 300 yards in 16 games with the Bills in his final season in 2023.

Friday, January 30, 3:31 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (ankle) had his 2025 season cut short when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3. The veteran running back was a productive player as recently as 2024, when he recorded 1,508 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 283 touches across 16 games played. However, he will enter the 2026 season at 31 years old and less than a year removed from significant ankle surgery, bringing his future fantasy viability into question. The Cardinals spent most of the 2025 season without both of their top running backs, as 2024 third-round pick Trey Benson (knee) did not play after Week 4 due to a knee injury. While Benson's injury status clouds his future outlook as well, Arizona appears headed for a backfield split. The team could also bring in additional talent at the position through free agency or the draft heading into 2026. Given his age and unclear health status, Conner's fantasy value in both redraft and dynasty formats is currently trending in the wrong direction.