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James Conner Buried on Cardinals' Depth Chart Heading into 2026
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) had his 2025 season cut short after suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 3. Conner was present for the start of Arizona's voluntary offseason program in early April, which could be a good sign that he's on track to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. However, Conner now projects as the RB3 in Arizona at best after the Cardinals signed former Atlanta Falcons back Tyler Allgeier in free agency and used the third overall pick in the 2026 draft on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Conner was a productive player as recently as 2024, when he recorded over 1,500 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 283 touches across 16 games. Still, with Conner entering his age-31 season and coming off foot surgery, Arizona clearly prioritized upgrading at the position with its offseason moves. Barring a change of scenery before the start of the season, Conner's dynasty value is plummeting.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Allgeier One of the Biggest Losers After NFL Draft
ESPN's Adam Schefter considers new Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier as one of the biggest losers after the 2026 NFL draft last week. Allgeier left the Atlanta Falcons to sign a two-year, $12.25 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals so that he could finally be a lead back in the NFL. Then on draft night, the Cardinals took Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick, thrusting Allgeier right back into a backup role. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. says that the Cardinals could accommodate Allgeier a bit by putting Love out wide as a slot receiver in the offense this year. Love is a dynamic threat out of the backfield as both a receiver and runner, so he will give the Cardinals flexibility and versatility in the backfield, but the bottom line is that the addition of the Fighting Irish star RB is a major threat to Allgeier having a much bigger role than he saw in Atlanta behind Bijan Robinson. That's especially true since the Cardinals also have James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) as backfield options in 2026 (if they aren't traded). Allgeier could open the season as the primary back in Arizona, but before long, Love should take over.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Does Marvin Harrison Jr. Still Carry High-End Dynasty Upside?
Two years into his NFL career, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has not lived up to the pre-draft hype that led to him being selected with the fourth overall pick in 2024. Across 12 games in 2025, Harrison Jr. hauled in 41 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns on 73 targets. He missed time due to a concussion and appendicitis before finally ending the year on Injured Reserve with a heel injury. Even before the heel issue, Harrison Jr. was clearly behind both tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson on the Cardinals' pecking order for targets. Still, Harrison Jr. will have a chance to work with a new coaching staff in 2026, which could help spur a year-three breakout. Arizona could be a bit more run-heavy after adding Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 Draft, but Harrison Jr. should still have every chance to carve out a significant role in his team's offense. Harrison Jr.'s dynasty value has obviously taken a hit over the past two years, but he remains an ultra-high-upside wide receiver.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cardinals Select Texas Tech Receiver Reggie Virgil in the Fifth Round
The Arizona Cardinals have selected Texas Tech wide receiver Reggie Virgil with the 143rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. A transfer from Miami-Ohio, Virgil excelled during his first and only season at Texas Tech, catching 57 passes for 705 yards and six touchdowns. He also coverted his two rushing attempts into two rushing touchdowns. With good hands and route-running skills, Virgil has a chance to produce in a depth role as early as his rookie season. He'll presumably spend this summer competing for the No. 4 receiver role behind Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Kendrick Bourne.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Carson Beck Selected 65th Overall by Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals selected University of Miami quarterback Carson Beck with the 65th overall pick to kick off the third round of the 2026 NFL draft on Friday night. The Cardinals were fully expected to take a signal-caller at some point in this year's draft, and it ends up coming with the first pick of the third round. The Cardinals released former first-rounder Kyler Murray (foot) after a disappointing and injury-plagued 2025 campaign. Veteran Jacoby Brissett took over for Murray last year and had a career year in a pass-heavy offense. Beck is the heir apparent in the desert under center now, and he could end up playing in 2026 under new head coach Mike LaFleur. There was a time when Beck was considered a potential first-rounder, but that all changed after he suffered a torn UCL in his right elbow in 2024. Beck is often compared to Jared Goff. The 6-foot-4, 233-pounder had questions about his arm strength after elbow surgery and finished his final collegiate season with a 72.4% completion percentage, 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 16 games played. Beck will most likely head into training camp competing with Gardner Minshew for the backup job, but if Brissett struggles early, there will be plenty of noise for the Cardinals to get the Beck era started.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Jeremiyah Love Ticketed for Potential Committee Role in Crowded Backfield?
Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love may initially find himself in a committee role given the crowded state of the team's backfield. The Cardinals selected Love third overall on Thursday night, and while he did fetch a hefty $50.5 million guaranteed contract, the existing players in Arizona's backfield should continue to have a role. James Conner is an established veteran who has shown that he can still contribute when healthy, and Tyler Allgeier managed to carve out a significant role alongside Bijan Robinson in Atlanta, so he can presumably do the same with Love in Arizona. Of course, Love represents the future in Arizona, and he's an immediate top-five running back in dynasty fantasy football. Even if we see a mix of him, Conner, and Allgeier to open the year, the Cardinals' goal will be to gradually get Love more involved so that he can handle at least 15-20 touches per game by the end of his rookie campaign. After all, he posted 3,014 scrimmage yards and 40 touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons, so the sky is the limit.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trey Benson Losing All Long-Term Value in Crowded Backfield
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson's (knee) value has rapidly faded away in fantasy football leagues. Once regarded as a promising, up-and-coming third-round pick, Benson has now fallen to fourth on the depth chart and could be a cut or trade candidate this summer. His outlook was already bleak after the Cardinals signed Tyler Allgeier to pair with James Conner, but Arizona's selection of rookie Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick ultimately spells disaster for Benson. It's partly his fault, as he never seized any of the opportunities presented to him. He had just 350 scrimmage yards and one touchdown as a rookie in 2024, and a season-ending injury cost him the chance to lead Arizona's backfield last year. We wouldn't be surprised to see the Cardinals carry four running backs into the season, but Benson could be the odd man out as a potential healthy scratch every week. He can be dropped in shallower dynasty formats, and he belongs at the bottom of your bench in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Tyler Allgeier Again Doomed to Backup Duty?
Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal in the opening hours of free agency, and even if the landing spot featured somewhat of an ambiguous backfield, many called for a year-five breakout as he was finally able to escape the shadow of RotoBaller's dynasty RB2, Bijan Robinson. Having never taken an NFL snap, Notre Dame prospect Jeremiyah Love enters the league as RotoBaller's RB4, and with the Cardinals spending the third overall pick to bring him to the desert, Allgeier looks to again be relegated to change-of-pace duty behind a young bellcow. He has already shown he can have moderate success in the role, finishing as the RB34, RB42, and RB38 across the past three seasons while providing the occasional spike week and serving as the game's most valuable insurance back; however, Allgeier managers who were unable to sell on his free agency bump are likely frustrated to find him back in a similar situation. Allgeier topped out as the dynasty RB28 heading into draft weekend, but he will be 28 by the time he next has a chance to look for a larger role. He is still a must-roster player on the strength of the injury insurance he provides, but the hopes that he could become anything more in his second home went up in smoke only three picks into the NFL Draft.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeremiyah Love Selected by Cardinals With Third Overall Pick
The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday evening. There was a lot of speculation that the Cardinals might trade out of the third overall pick in this year's draft, but they ended up holding onto it and going with the top overall talent in this year's draft. The Cardinals were just too enamored with Love, even though they already have RBs Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, and Trey Benson on their roster. The 20-year-old is a fantastic athlete, and his stats for the Fighting Irish the last two years were off the charts. Love can do it all, as evidenced by a total of 2,497 yards and 35 rushing touchdowns on 362 carries in his final two seasons at Notre Dame. He added 55 receptions for 517 yards and five touchdowns in 28 total games. He's dynamic, explosive, and a home run hitter at every level, and he should give the Cardinals franchise plenty of juice. Despite Arizona's crowded backfield, Love will be the No. 1 overall pick in rookie-only dynasty drafts. Love's redraft fantasy value in 2026 will be a bit more volatile as he works to find a substantial role alongside Allgeier, Conner, and Benson. With the selection of Love, the Cardinals could be looking to trade away one of their other RBs.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Is Trey McBride Currently Undervalued in Dynasty Leagues?
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride took his already stellar production to an even higher level in 2025, recording 126 receptions for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns on 169 targets across 17 games. The 26-year-old finished the year as the runaway fantasy TE1, and he's now hauled in a remarkable 237 receptions over the last two seasons. McBride's production in 2025 surged once veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett took over under center for the Cardinals in Week 6. Heading into 2026, Brissett appears poised to remain Arizona's QB1 for at least one more season. While the Cardinals have other capable pass-catchers in wideouts Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, McBride is the clear focal point of the team's offense and should remain that way even under new Arizona head coach and play caller Mike LaFleur. In dynasty formats, McBride and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers profile as the obvious top two players at their position.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeremiyah Love a "Logical Pick" if Cardinals Stay at No. 3 in NFL Draft
ESPN's Adam Schefter said that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is a "logical pick" for the Arizona Cardinals if they stay at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft this Thursday night. However, the Cardinals have held exploratory talks with other teams about trading down from the third spot. The list of teams that have the ammunition to move all the way up to third overall isn't a long one. The Kansas City Chiefs have had discussions with Arizona about moving up to No. 3, but Schefter also notes that KC is a team also considering moving back within the first round. The New Orleans Saints (eighth overall) could move up into the top five, but that would likely be to snag a pass-rusher and not Love. The Cardinals have gone defense in the first round in recent years, but with an offensive-minded head coach, Love could easily be the pick if they stay at No. 3, even with RBs Tyler Allgeier, James Conner, and Trey Benson all currently on the roster.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Cardinals Linked to Ty Simpson, Willing to Trade Up for him?
The Arizona Cardinals are linked to Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson "more than any other team," according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Jones adds that the "noise across the league is impossible to ignore." He has the Cardinals mocked to trade up four spots with the Miami Dolphins to No. 30 overall in the first round on Thursday night in the 2026 NFL draft to take Simpson. The 6-foot-1, 211-pound quarterback only started in his final season at Alabama, which has many draft analysts questioning how quickly he can develop into a starting-caliber QB in the NFL. If he were to land in Arizona, Simpson would likely compete with Gardner Minshew for the No. 2 job in the desert behind veteran Jacoby Brissett in 2026. Simpson was considered a lock to be a first-rounder back in March, but his stock has fallen somewhat, and he could slip into the early portion of Day 2 this Friday. In dynasty/keeper leagues, any fantasy managers who select Simpson need to be prepared to be patient.
Source: CBS Sports - Jonathan Jones
Source: CBS Sports - Jonathan Jones
Jeremiyah Love in Play for Cardinals at Third Overall
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to be one of the first names off the board in this week's NFL Draft, and some around league circles believe that could be as early as third overall to the Arizona Cardinals. According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Cardinals have made exploratory calls to move back and acquire additional picks, but if they are unable to find a trade partner, there is a growing belief that the selection could be Love. Even in what would then be a crowded backfield, Love would still be worthy of the first overall pick in dynasty rookie drafts of all formats, including superflex leagues. He split the Notre Dame backfield with Jadarian Price, a player many are calling the second-best running back in the class. In their three seasons together, Love nearly doubled Price's career yardage total, an indicator of how far ahead of the class he truly is. His 40 touchdowns across his past two seasons as a starter paced the FBS, and he has the speed and physicality to win in multiple ways. He catches the ball cleanly and gets upfield with no wasted motion. Love should make an immediate fantasy impact regardless of landing spot, and he is currently RotoBaller's overall RB4 in dynasty rankings.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Trey Benson Stuck in a Crowded Backfield
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) doesn't have a direct path to fantasy relevance in dynasty leagues. Benson was once viewed as the running back of the future in Arizona after the Cardinals selected him with a third-round pick. However, James Conner was healthy and productive in 2024, leaving Benson in a backup role for most of his rookie season. Then, when Conner suffered a season-ending right foot/ankle injury, it seemed like Benson might finally have an opportunity to shine. Instead, he started one game before suffering a season-ending knee injury of his own. Now, Conner is healthy again, and he's expected to occupy the lead-back role in 2026. New head coach Mike LaFleur also went out and signed Tyler Allgeier, who presumably will operate as the No. 2 running back, pushing Benson to third on the depth chart. Benson is still 23, so we're not completely out on him yet, but it seems like it will take either a lot of patience or a lot of teammate injuries before he has a chance to prove his fantasy relevance. He can be stashed at the end of your bench in most dynasty leagues, as there's really no motivation to buy or sell here.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacoby Brissett Sitting Out Offseason Workouts, Asking for Extension
Arizona Cardinals veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is not attending the team's first phase of their offseason program and is asking for a contract extension that would pay him as a starter, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Brissett is set to make $9.06 million in 2026 and has only $1.5 million in guaranteed money. He's looking for more security, and the Cardinals appear willing to address it. The 33-year-old took over for Kyler Murray in Week 6 of last year after Murray suffered a foot injury, and he went on to have a career year, completing 64.9% of his 485 pass attempts for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 games played (12 starts) for the Cards. Murray is now in Minnesota, and Brissett is expected to enter the 2026 campaign as the starter under new head coach Mike LaFleur. Brissett was a valuable QB2 streamer, especially in superflex leagues last year, but in an offense that should be more balanced under LaFleur, fantasy managers should temper expectations with Brissett.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
