Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner may have recorded a career-high 1,040 rushing yards in 2023, but he hopes that was his floor and he can build on that total in 2024. "That's the floor," Conner told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. "I want that to be the lowest I rush for in my career going forward. Definitely got a lot of work to put in but that's the floor, not the ceiling." Now 29 years old, Conner still has a solid grasp on the Cardinals' No. 1 running back role even after Arizona added Trey Benson in the draft. He has continued to show that he can make an impact on the ground and through the air, entering 2024 as a solid RB2 option in most fantasy football leagues.
James Conner Says 1,000-Yard Season Is The "Floor"
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner has been one of the most underrated ball carriers in fantasy football over the last few years. The former Pittsburgh Steeler remained productive in his age-28 season last year, rushing 208 times for 1,040 yards and seven touchdowns and catching 27 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He finished as the RB18 in PPR formats despite missing four games due to injury. Heading into 2024, Conner expects more of the same. "That's the floor," Conner said (speaking of a 1,000-yard rushing season), "I want that to be the lowest I rush for in my career going forward." While Arizona selected Florida State running back Trey Benson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Conner is expected to maintain his workhorse role, at least early in the season. The Cardinals have an ascending offense, so Conner could be a tremendous value pick at RB25 cost in preseason drafts. That said, Conner has never played a full season, so be sure to stash high-upside backs behind him if you roster him.
James Conner Wants To Finish His Career In Arizona
Arizona Cardinals veteran running back and team captain James Conner is heading into his eighth NFL season in 2024 and his fourth with the Cardinals. He's coming off his first 1,000-yard season as a professional and said he wouldn't mind finishing his NFL career in the desert. Conner has grown close to quarterback Kyler Murray, spending time together on numerous outings. The 29-year-old veteran is entering the last year of the three-year deal he signed in 2022, which has ended up being a bargain for the Cardinals. "It would be awesome to finish my career here, but nothing changes," Conner said. Rookie third-rounder Trey Benson could eventually take over Conner's spot as the team's lead back, but as far as 2024 in concerned, Conner should remain the team's lead back in what should be an improved offense.
In a valiant effort during the Cardinals' 21-20 loss to the Seahawks, Arizona running back James Conner stood out with an impressive performance. Finishing with 27 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown, Conner added another dimension to his game with four receptions for 54 yards. Despite Conner's heroic late touchdown, the Seahawks managed to respond, denying the Cardinals the victory. This marked Conner's first 200-total-yard game of the season, capping off a remarkable quarter of the schedule where he amassed 514 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Conner's outstanding efforts contributed to the first 1,000-yard season of his career in just 13 games. As he enters the final year of his contract, Conner remains a strong contender for the starting role pending the outcome of Arizona's offseason moves.
Arizona running back James Conner's Week 17 heroics, amassing 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns, highlight his dominant form heading into Week 18. With a four-game scoring streak, Conner needs just 110 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Averaging 21.6 touches and 109.8 total yards since Week 13, he's a prime asset. Ranking 12th in explosive run rate, seventh in missed tackles forced per attempt, and eighth in yards after contact, Conner has been electric. Seattle's porous run defense, allowing the most yards and fifth-highest explosive run rate since Week 12, sets the stage for Conner's success in Week 18. Fantasy managers should confidently start him as he aims to continue his impressive run and end the season strong.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner delivered a stellar performance in the Cardinals' Week 17 victory over the Eagles, amassing 128 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. He also showcased his versatility, catching a short pass from quarterback Kyler Murray for another touchdown. Conner's late-game heroics included a two-yard rushing score that secured the upset win with less than a minute remaining. The bruising tailback has been on a scoring streak lately, finding the end zone in the last four games. With an impressive 4.9 yards per carry average against the Eagles, Conner remains a vital asset for fantasy managers heading into the final game of the regular season against the Seahawks in Week 18.
Heading into Week 17, Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is enjoying a bit of a resurgence, showcasing his versatility with 16.8 touches and 79 total yards per game since his return. His involvement in the passing game has been on the rise, logging at least three targets in three of his last four outings. This season has arguably been Conner's best on a per-touch basis, ranking impressively in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced, and yards after contact. Week 17 presents a promising matchup against a faltering Philadelphia run defense, allowing the sixth-most rushing yards since Week 11. Despite a slightly subdued performance in Week 16, Conner's multi-faceted contributions make him a solid fantasy option, with optimistic expectations for a standout performance against Philadelphia. He should be viewed as an RB2 with RB1 upside for Week 17.
James Conner With Another Steady Week 16 Performance
In the Cardinals' 27-16 loss to the Bears, Arizona Running back James Conner displayed versatility, compiling 12 carries for 45 yards on the ground and making an impact in the passing game with five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Although this marked his first game of the year with less than 4.0 yards per carry, Conner's dynamic receiving performance more than compensated. His five targets included a 16-yard catch-and-run touchdown, helping to contribute to his game-high of 20 yards. Despite a quieter day on the rushing end, Conner achieved 100-plus yards from scrimmage for the fourth time this season. Looking ahead to Week 17 in Philadelphia, Conner will aim to maintain his solid momentum and remain an RB2 play.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner showcased his prowess in Week 15, rushing 14 times for 86 yards and a touchdown, coupled with three receptions for three yards in a loss to the 49ers. This follows his stellar performance against his former team, solidifying his status as a hot commodity heading into Week 16 against the Bears. Since his return from injury, Conner has maintained RB24 status, averaging 16.8 touches and 72.4 total yards per game. Despite ranking high in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt this season, he faces a stout Bears defense. Chicago, since Week 10, has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards, posing a formidable challenge for Conner. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent momentum against the Bears' defensive prowess in their decision-making, but he is currently tough to trust as anything more than an RB2/3.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner ran for 86 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in the team's 45-29 Week 15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Conner also caught all three of his targets through the air. He was able to follow up his solid outing two weeks ago with another impressive performance against a 49ers rush defense ranked third-best in the league. Over his last two games, Conner has combined for 191 rushing yards and three touchdowns and is gaining momentum at a crucial point in the fantasy schedule. He remains on track as a solid RB2 heading into a Week 16 showdown against the Chicago Bears.
