Team news: Arizona Cardinals | Page 6

Running back Bijan Robinson enters his third season coming off a career-high workload. Robinson went from 272 touches (214 carries, 58 catches) as a rookie to 365 touches (304 carries, 61 catches) last season, and it sounds like that trend will continue.

“As many times as we can get the ball in his hands, we’re going to do it,” Penix said.

Related players: Tyler Allgeier

It seems like a great idea and fantasy owners are hoping for the same, but the author thinks the Falcons should be cognizant of Robinson’s workload. The story pointed out the following: there have been 15 occasions of a running back getting more than 300 carries in a season in the last five years. Six of those came last season. Of the other nine, only once did the back have more rushing yards the next season. That was Derrick Henry in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In the other eight seasons, the backs had an average drop off of 695 rushing yards the next season. Those are eye-opening numbers, but good news is the Falcons don't have to force the ball to Robinson with Allgeier part of the offense. Last season Allegier carried another 137 times for 644 yards, which is a 4.7 YPC.

While there has been speculation about his future in Atlanta, Falcons TE Kyle Pitts hasn’t been practicing at OTAs due to a strained muscle in his foot.

Related Players: Charlie Woerner, Teagan Quitoriano, Feleipe Franks

If Pitts does end up leaving Atlanta this summer, it's worth pointing out that the TE depth chart behind him is incredibly thin, which would likely mean an even higher WR target share in 2025. Teams potentially vying for a trade include the Cowboys, Jaguars, and Chargers, among others.

Details of the Steelers-Cowboys trade expected to be completed today.

Steelers receive 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick.

Cowboys receive WR George Pickens and a 2027 6th-round pick.

Related Players: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Roman Wilson, Pat Freiermuth, CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy

With the relative lack of impactful Draft compensation, it's a wonder this didn't get done prior to or during the 2025 NFL Draft, but Pickens is on the move regardless.

For the Steelers, this makes Roman Wilson a little more intriguing as he heads into Year 2, and Freiermuth should see a little bump closer to high-end TE2 consideration.

For the Cowboys, this slightly lowers CeeDee Lamb's potentially astronomical target share, but gives QB Dak Prescott a much more reliable No. 2 option in what was already projected as a pass-heavy offense with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders making up their backfield. Pickens is now more of a high-end WR3 than a fringe WR4.

Cardinals WR Greg Dortch signed the restricted free-agent tender one-year, $3.3 million offer extended to him in March.

Related Players: Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Zay Jones

This doesn't preclude the Cardinals from adding another WR in the Draft, but it does give them some insurance if they miss out on anyone until later on Day 3. Dortch is still looking to build on a nice 52-462-2 sophomore season he had back in 2022, but shouldn't be on anyone's fantasy radar.

Wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, a 2024 second-round pick out of Washington who had a rocky rookie season (12 catches, 87 yards, 2 TDs), is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Vrabel said he has been excited about how Polk has approached his rehabilitation, working on his lower-body strength.

Related Players: Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, Mack Hollins

There's no timetable for recovery here, but Polk certainly didn't need any setbacks after catching only 38.7% of his 31 targets as a 2024 rookie. He should be considered more of a Dynasty hold than a redraft option, particularly with the Patriots tied to a number of options in the '25 Draft class.

Free-agent WR Stefon Diggs reached agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal including $26 million guaranteed with the New England Patriots.

Related Players: Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker

This is an incredible injection of talent to what is arguably the worst WR room in the NFL. Diggs should be immediately considered somewhere in the WR3 range, with (hopefully) more weapons for Drake Maye coming in the next month.

Cardinals RB James Conner (questionable, knee) is 'trending in the right direction' for Saturday vs. Rams, per source.

Related Players: Trey Benson

Benson also seems likely to play, which presumably leaves the rotation intact for Saturday. Consider Conner an RB2 if he's cleared by kickoff.

Make that another day of practice for Arizona Cardinals RBs James Conner and Trey Benson.

A good sign for their respective statuses this Saturday.

Related Players: Michael Carter

If both are cleared ahead of kickoff, we should assume a pretty standard split, with Benson probably taking a slight uptick in work. Consider them respective RB2 and RB4s if that is the case.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon did not rule out RBs James Conner or Trey Benson, adding they still have a chance to play this week.

Related players: Michael Carter

That being said, Carter would be in for a larger workload if they have to miss Saturday, the post went on to say. The Cardinals play on Saturday in the late game so owners will have plenty of time to make the decision on any of these players. Carter did get five carries for 18 yards and also caught five balls for 30 yards.

Cardinals TE Trey McBride (knee) is off the injury report and good to go for Sunday vs. the Patriots.

Related Players: Elijah Higgins

You know the drill by now. Start McBride absolutely everywhere.