The Arizona Cardinals front office must acquire a ball-carrier who can form a one-two combination with starter James Conner in 2023.
Just about a year ago, the Arizona Cardinals signed running back James Conner to a three-year contract extension. The 6 foot 1, 233 pounder was rewarded for amassing 1,127 yards from scrimmage and 18 total touchdowns during the 2021 campaign.
Despite Conner's workhorse ability, the Cards elected to keep a total of five ball-carriers in 2022. Darrel Williams, Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward and Keontay Ingram all earned a spot on the opening-day roster.
At the moment, only Conner and Ingram remain from last season's group. With just those two under contract, it's an almost certainty that Arizona general manager Monti Ossenfort will add at least two more individuals to the position this offseason. The following are four free-agent backs who could make some sense for the Cardinals in 2023.
4 more running backs the Arizona Cardinals can pursue
1- Devin Singletary
For the past four seasons, Devin Singletary has been a solid contributor to an explosive Buffalo Bills offense. Last fall, the Florida native totaled 1,099 yards from scrimmage and six total scores for the Josh Allen-led scoring attack.
At 5 foot 7, 203 pounds, Singletary could serve as an excellent complement to a battering ram like Conner. The 25-year-old Singletary has the speed to hit the corner, while Conner makes his living mostly between the tackles.
If the Redbirds hope to compete next season, new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will need some weapons to work with. The pairing of a talented youngster like Singletary with the veteran Conner would certainly solidify the Cards rushing attack.
2- Jerick McKinnon
Just last month, experienced running back Jerick McKinnon helped the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Jonathan Gannon, Philly's defensive coordinator during that crushing loss, got an up-close look at what the 30-year-old McKinnon can bring to the table.
The pass-receiving skills that McKinnon displayed last fall with the Chiefs were downright impressive. In his 17 appearances for the squad, the 5 foot 9, 201 pounder tallied 56 receptions for 512 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
Having a ball-carrier that is such a pass-catching threat out of the backfield could be a valuable component for any offensive attack. Kansas City will likely want to retain a vital piece like McKinnon, so the Arizona Cardinals may have to outbid the Super Bowl champs to sign him.
3- Raheem Mostert
Raheem Mostert is the epitome of a journeyman running back. Since he came to the NFL back in 2015, the 30-year-old has spent time with no fewer than five professional franchises.
Last season, Mostert had the best campaign of his career with the Miami Dolphins. In 16 appearances (14 starts), the 5 foot 10, 205 pounder racked up 891 rushing yards, 202 receiving yards, 502 return yards and five total scores for the Dolphins.
The Arizona Cardinals should be well-acquainted with Mostert from the five-plus seasons he spent with the San Francisco 49ers. Inking a contract with Big Red would be a fantastic way for the former Purdue University product to get back at his former employer in '23.
4- David Johnson
Seven years ago, David Johnson appeared to be headed for superstardom with the Cards. During his 16 starts in 2016, the 6 foot 1, 224 pounder registered 1,239 yards on the ground, another 879 yards on 80 catches and a whopping 20 total touchdowns.
Johnson has never gotten close to those sensational numbers ever since, and was included in the trade with the Houston Texans that brought DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. The former third-round selection spent two seasons in Houston before catching on with the New Orleans Saints in '22.
At 31 years of age, there's no denying that Johnson is certainly on the decline. It would not be far-fetched, however, to believe that the former Cardinals bellcow could offer his former squad some production in a complementary role next fall.
(Statistics provided by Pro Football Reference)