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James Conner
RB · ARI

James Conner

Position RB
Team ARI
Bye Week 14
PPR Rank #148

James Conner

NFL player. Position: RB. Team: ARI.

Quick Facts

  • Position: RB
  • Team: ARI (Arizona Cardinals)
  • Bye week (2026): 14
  • FantasyPros PPR rank (pulled 2026-05-21): 148

2026 Outlook

At age 31, Conner had an injury-plagued 2025 (just 3 games before season-ending ankle injury). Cardinals have moved past him in the depth chart after drafting Jeremiyah Love 3rd overall and signing Tyler Allgeier. FantasyPros identified Conner as the second-biggest ADP faller among all players post-draft, with a 42-pick drop to 203rd overall—reflecting the reality that Arizona now has three capable running backs, blocking any path to meaningful touches (per 13 Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers (2026)). Trade out of Arizona appears likely before training camp opens, making Conner an unreliable fantasy asset; his next landing spot will determine fantasy viability (per 15 trade candidates heading into 2026 NFL training camps).

Green Bay Packers are being discussed as a potential landing spot post-June 1 to provide veteran depth at RB, especially given concerns about Josh Jacobs' legal situation. Conner's bruising running style would complement the Packers' offense. (per 8 NFL Trades We'd Like To See After June 1) Packers could benefit from adding experienced depth at RB regardless of Jacobs' legal outcome, potentially viewing Conner as a contingency plan. (per 4 NFL post-June 1 trades to watch for)

The Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants are being mentioned as potential landing spots if Arizona looks to move Conner. Both teams have established lead backs (Chase Brown in Cincinnati, Cam Skattebo in New York) but could use veteran depth in a committee role. At age 31 with just one year remaining on his contract, Conner represents cheap veteran depth for a contender (per NFL Trade Rumors: Bengals, Giants Emerge As Landing Spots for 2-Time Pro Bowl RB).

Justin Boone notes that Conner, at 31 years old coming off a season-ending injury, took a pay cut to stay with Arizona—but now sits behind elite prospect Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier in the depth chart, eliminating any realistic path to fantasy relevance in Arizona (per Justin Boone's 2026 RB Rankings Update). If he remains with the Cardinals in an RB3 role, Conner would be just 101 rushing yards away from moving into 3rd all-time in franchise rushing yards, and needs 9 touchdowns to set the franchise TD record—both milestones unlikely in a reserve role (per James Conner can move up Arizona Cardinals' all-time list in 2026).

July 2 update – Trade likelihood increases: The Cardinals reworked Conner's contract in March to reduce his cap hit from $9.83M to $4.83M, making him much more affordable to move on from. At 31 with an expiring contract coming off ankle surgery, he's an aging veteran on a rebuilding team who has fallen to potentially third in the RB depth chart behind Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier. Once he shows recovery in training camp, contenders in need of a No. 1 or high-end No. 2 running back may come calling, though the reality is Arizona likely parted him to clear cap space rather than get another team to take him. (per NFL trade rumors: Eight players who could change teams before 2026 season kicks off)

July 22 update – Trade rumors tied to Love: Conner's name resurfaced as a concrete trade candidate following Jeremiyah Love's draft selection at pick 3 overall for the Cardinals. Trade speculation intensified as Arizona signaled a clean slate at the position with their premium investment in Love, essentially clearing the path for Conner to move elsewhere. Contenders could acquire Conner before the deadline if he clears training camp medical checks and shows recovered form from his ankle injury (per 13 NFL players that could shake up the trade deadline in 2026 - Arizona Daily Star).

Role / Depth Chart

Third in Arizona's depth chart behind Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier. Conner has not yet returned to full 11-on-11 work as of mid-August 2026 due to lingering foot injury recovery. Even when healthy, his role is heavily limited by Love's elite draft capital and Allgeier's established position—realistic scenario is he plays a reserve/backup role with occasional goal-line or short-yardage snaps if both ahead of him are unavailable. (per Jeremiyah Love Injury: High-Ankle Sprain Puts Cardinals Rookie's Week 1 Status In Doubt)

Injury Status

Recovering from severe ankle injury that ended his 2025 season after Week 3. As of Aug 30, 2026 (roster cutdown), Conner still hasn't returned to full 11-on-11 work—a significant concern heading into Week 1. While he passed his physical and is not on the PUP list, Week 1 availability is highly uncertain. The Cardinals may place him on injured reserve if his recovery isn't further along, which would sideline him for at least 2 weeks and 4 games. His role is limited regardless due to Love's elite draft capital and Allgeier's established position (per NFL roster cuts: 4 Arizona Cardinals injuries that will influence decisions).

Recent News

Open Questions

(scoped to this player — pulled from Fantasy Football Open Questions)

Coaches shaping James's role

Mike LaFleurHead CoachNathaniel HackettOffensive CoordinatorChris CookAssistant Offensive LineJustin FryeOffensive LineMatt MerrittRunning Backs

What the Experts Are Saying

Sal VetriMy Top 50 Running Back Rankings for 2026 Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football TodayPreseason Takeaways: Jeremiyah Love, Cam Ward, Fernando Mendoza & More! (FFT Express)
Flock FantasyTop 25 Tight End Rankings & Tiers - 2026 Fantasy Football