Arizona Cardinals adding James Conner could be good

The Arizona Cardinals reportedly hosted free agent running back James Conner for a visit on Monday.  He was scheduled to take a physical during his visit.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers running back is out making visits now. He reportedly had surgery recently for minor turf toe according to Pro Football Talk on Monday.

The Cardinals parted ways with Kenyan Drake and have indicated they are willing to roll with Chase Edmonds as their starter.  However Edmonds seems more like the type that could be an every down back for a game or so but not over the course of an entire season.

It would behoove the Cardinals to add a running back, if not in free agency, then through the draft. The sentiment on social media on Monday seemed to be a number of fans are against them signing Conner.

It could be moot however if Conner fails the physical and/or the Cardinals decide to go in a different direction.  Either way, the Cardinals should take a look at Conner.

Sure, Conner has an injury history.  When he is healthy though, he is a guy that can put up decent numbers and be a workhorse.

Conner’s best season was in 2018 when he rushed for 973-yards and 12 touchdowns.  He only played in 12 games in 2019 and rushed for 464-yards and just four touchdowns.

However he made a bit of a comeback last season, playing in 13 games and rushing for 721-yards and six touchdowns. He has yet to play a full season.

Conner can also be of help in the backfield. He could end up being a better receiving back than Drake was.  Last season he caught 35 balls, 34 in 2019, and a career-high 55 in 2018.

Whatever happens, the Cardinals did the right thing by looking into him.  It would seem no matter what the Cardinals do, there will always be unhappy fans. Be happy they are at the very least doing their due diligence.