Grading Arizona Cardinals latest signing of running back
By Sion Fawkes
The Arizona Cardinals signed running back James Conner to a one-year deal. Conner’s presence provides a huge upgrade to the team’s backfield and fills a hole that Kenyan Drake left when the latter signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Conner gained 721 yards over 13 games in 2020, good for 4.3 yards per carry. He also scored 6 rushing touchdowns and caught 35 passes for 215 yards out of the backfield. While he hasn’t panned out as a true RB1, Conner brings size and strength to the committee that it appears Steve Keim is building in the team’s backfield.
He has had a tough time staying healthy over the past few seasons and has never played in a full regular season. So durability is an issue for Conner. However, with Chase Edmonds serving as a capable complementary back, it will give Conner a few more breathers down in the desert.
At the very least, we will see a solid two-back committee shape up in Glendale in 2021. Conner’s presence, along with the addition of Rodney Hudson at center and the re-signing of Kelvin Beachum, shows the Cardinals are more committed to establishing the run. Something they were inconsistent with in 2020 despite their seventh-ranked rushing offense.
Don’t count out at least one more back coming to the table in 2021. However, Conner’s signing indicates that Keim will wait until the later rounds to draft a running back unless a target within the first two rounds is available during the NFL Draft at the end of the month. Someone like Travis Etienne or Najee Harris.
Conner has performed well overall despite his injuries over the first four seasons of his career. And with Edmonds accompanying him in the backfield, he provides the Cardinals with a decent one-two punch.
Grade – B: Conner must find a way to remain healthy. But when he does, he’s often one of the league’s better running backs. As shown in 2018 when he averaged 4.5 yards per carry while scoring 12 touchdowns, along with 55 receptions to add.