Running back Trey Benson was recently named the one player the Arizona Cardinals should put on the trade block this preseason by Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox. Looking at the Cardinals' offseason moves and depth chart, it's easy to see why.
Arizona has a glaring running back logjam after signing Tyler Allgeier in free agency and drafting Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick. Then you have the depth behind them, with veteran James Conner taking a pay cut to stay in the Valley. Even Bam Knight performed well in the Hall of Fame Game, finishing with 12 carries for 60 rushing yards.
The Cardinals were the 31st-ranked team in rushing yards last season ahead of only the Las Vegas Raiders. That situation likely would've resolved itself naturally with a healthier running back room returning Conner, Benson, and Knight all coming back from injuries.
Trey Benson could be the odd man out in Cardinals' crowded running back room
They've overcompensated that area of weakness. It's created a logjam and raised concerns about the opportunity cost of investing so heavily in the running back position, particularly with the Love selection.
Benson is still in his prime at just 24 years old and has even shown enough talent in Arizona to justify the third-round investment in 2024. It's for that reason Knox suggests that Benson would "be the most attractive trade candidate" behind Love and Allgeier.
That's still likely not much trade value, given the value of the running back position in general. But Knox adds that the Cardinals will likely keep four running backs at the most, which leaves two spots behind offseason additions Love and Allgeier.
Benson has shown flashes in Arizona to start his career, but has now become expendable. It could be worth it for another team to take a low-risk flier on someone who could be a legitimate RB2, as he's already shown at times with the Cardinals.
If Arizona is open to moving Benson, wouldn't they prefer to do it sooner so they don't have to roster yet another running back after already investing so heavily at the position? It's at least worth exploring trade options, as the Cardinals would benefit from finding a better roster balance.
They need to move away from their plethora of offensive weapons to address the defense, whether that's through established players or future draft capital. Trading Benson may be a marginal move, but one that's in the right direction for this rebuild.
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