James Conner
29-Year-Old
2023 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
208
YDS
1040
TD
7
YDS
165
TD
2
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
The Cardinals offense hasn't made it easy for Conner the last three years, with dysfunctional blocking and poor passing making it easy for defenses to lock onto the running back. Undeterred, Conner has thrived in Arizona throughout it all, including his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2023 despite missing four games (while averaging 5.0 yards per carry). In 41 games with the Cardinals, he's scored 36 touchdowns and caught 84.6 percent of his targets, making him one of the few power backs in the league that also excels on passing downs. The one fair question with Conner and his fantasy utility is the question of durability. He suffers injuries more often than most running backs, which makes sense given that his running style entails constant high-impact collisions as he grinds his way through defenses. Conner has missed multiple games in each of his seven pro seasons, though never more than six in any one year. He's often provided RB1 utility when healthy, including last season, averaging at least 15.7 touches and 71.5 total yards per game six years running. The Cardinals may also use third-round pick Trey Benson and 2023 UDFA Emari Demercado in an effort to keep their veteran starter healthy, but Conner still figures to be the clear starter and lead guy for what should be an improved Arizona offense. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Leader of improved backfield
Rookie third-round pick Trey Benson is unlikely to take Conner's starting job but may eventually force a timeshare in the Cardinals' backfield, according to KC Joyner of The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
Conner has missed multiple games in each of his seven NFL seasons, though never more than six in any one year, so any competition for touches could sort itself out. His 2023 included career highs for rushing yards (1,040) and yards per carry (5.0), with the downside being his fewest targets (33) and catches (27, 2.1 per game) since he was a barely-used rookie with Pittsburgh in 2017. The lack of receiving volume was partially a product of Emari Demercado getting playing time in passing situations, and it's worth noting that the Cardinals have two other backs in Michael Carter, DeeJay Dallas with track records as passing-down specialists. That said, Conner still figures to be the starter and lead runner, with Benson being the main threat to poach carries and TDs even if other guys are in the mix on passing downs.
Conner has missed multiple games in each of his seven NFL seasons, though never more than six in any one year, so any competition for touches could sort itself out. His 2023 included career highs for rushing yards (1,040) and yards per carry (5.0), with the downside being his fewest targets (33) and catches (27, 2.1 per game) since he was a barely-used rookie with Pittsburgh in 2017. The lack of receiving volume was partially a product of Emari Demercado getting playing time in passing situations, and it's worth noting that the Cardinals have two other backs in Michael Carter, DeeJay Dallas with track records as passing-down specialists. That said, Conner still figures to be the starter and lead runner, with Benson being the main threat to poach carries and TDs even if other guys are in the mix on passing downs.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do James Conner's 2023 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
22.1%Positive Run %
77.9%% Yds After Contact
70.1%Avg Yds After Contact
3.5Rushing TD %
3.4%Touches Per Game
18.1% Snaps w/Touch
47.1%Air Yards Per Game
-2.4Air Yards Per Snap
-0.06% Team Air Yards
-0.8%% Team Targets
6.1%Avg Depth of Target
-0.9 YdsCatch Rate
81.8%Drop Rate
0.0%Avg Yds After Catch
8.4% Targeted On Route
16.2%Avg Yds Per Route Run
0.81Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where James Conner lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 James Conner Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do James Conner's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
* The Cone Drill metric is from his Pro Day. All others are from the NFL Combine.
Height
6' 1"Weight
233 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.65 secCone Drill*
7.41 secVertical Jump
29.0 inBroad Jump
113 inBench Press
20 repsHand Length
9.88 inArm Length
31.25 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Multiple signs pointing to return
Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Friday that Conner is "trending in the right direction" for a Week 10 return against the Falcons, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gannon's optimism comes one day after the Cardinals waived running back Tony Jones. Those two signs point to a likely Conner return, as Arizona had little reason to waive Jones otherwise with Emeri Demercado trending towards another absence due to a toe injury, leaving Keaontay Ingram as the only healthy running back on the roster. Conner has been on injured reserve since injuring his knee in Week 5, but his 21-day return window was opened Wednesday, and he has been practicing with the team throughout the week.
Gannon's optimism comes one day after the Cardinals waived running back Tony Jones. Those two signs point to a likely Conner return, as Arizona had little reason to waive Jones otherwise with Emeri Demercado trending towards another absence due to a toe injury, leaving Keaontay Ingram as the only healthy running back on the roster. Conner has been on injured reserve since injuring his knee in Week 5, but his 21-day return window was opened Wednesday, and he has been practicing with the team throughout the week.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
It's a shame that a player as skilled and tenacious as Conner can't play for a competitive team, because he's good enough to be a starter in a standout offense. Unfortunately, the Cardinals don't appear to be any such thing, and Conner has a long history of injury concerns pulling his floor down even further. On the other hand, there's a nice ceiling if he stays healthy and the Cardinals commit to the run and can move the ball some on offense. Conner did nice work his first two seasons with Arizona, scoring 26 touchdowns and catching 83 passes in 28 games. As those numbers imply, Conner is tough to stop at the goal line and also one of the best pass catchers among big backs. His bruising methods exact a toll on his durability – he missed time with rib and shin troubles at separate points in 2022 – but that punishing style is also what affords him the ability to produce while dealing with poor blocking and bad playcalling in Arizona.
More Fantasy News
Logs first 1,000-yard season
Conner finished with 27 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown Sunday, adding four receptions on as many targets for 54 yards in a 21-20 loss to Seattle.
ANALYSIS
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Hero of upset victory
Conner took 26 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for five yards and another touchdown in Sunday's 35-31 win over Philadelphia.
ANALYSIS
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Goes past 100 yards from scrimmage
Conner compiled 12 carries for 45 yards and five catches (on five targets) for 67 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 27-16 loss in Chicago.
ANALYSIS
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Stays hot with another TD
Conner rushed 14 times for 86 yards and a touchdown while catching all three of his targets for three yards in Sunday's 45-29 loss to San Francisco.
ANALYSIS
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Two scores in return to Pittsburgh
Conner rushed the ball 25 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
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