Week 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars
James Conner had eight carries for 26 yards in what turned out to be a shootout against the Vikings last week. He had 16 carries in Week 1 and is splitting time with Chase Edmonds, getting 45% of the offensive snaps.
This week, Conner has some upside against the Jaguars. Jacksonville looks lost on both sides of the ball, and if the Cardinals get up early, I could see Conner getting double-digit touches again. That should give him RB3 potential, especially in standard formats. Unfortunately, Conner’s two-down role is hindered by Kyler Murray’s propensity to get those red zone rushing touchdowns, but he still has some deep-league value due to his workload.
Week 2 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Chase Edmonds saw 58% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 1 against the Titans, and gained 106 yards from scrimmage on 12 carries and four receptions. That looks like a pretty solid baseline to expect from Edmonds – at least as far as workload goes – which should give him solid fantasy potential each week, particularly in PPR formats.
Edmonds has high upside in a good matchup this week, facing a Vikings defense that gave up over 100 yards and a touchdown to Joe Mixon last week and ranked 23rd in aFPA to opposing running backs in 2020. With a solid role in the offense – albeit a complementary one – Edmonds should be considered a safe, low-end RB2 option, with a little bit of a downgrade in standard-scoring leagues.
Week 1 at Tennessee Titans
James Conner had a great year in Pittsburgh filling in for Le’Veon Bell and has since struggled to stay healthy. Coming over to Arizona, he has a chance to help fill the 239 carries Kenyan Drake got last year, though the expectation is for Chase Edmonds to get the bulk of that work. Still, Edmonds has been a complementary back thus far in his career, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility for Conner to get significant touches in a 1A and 1B backfield.
Conner could produce if he can get touches in Week 1, as the Titans ranked 28th in aFPA to opposing running backs last year. Fantasy managers should be careful trusting him since we really don’t know how the workload is going to shake out, but if you’re already desperate due to injuries, I like his chances at double-digit two-down work as a low-end flex option, particularly in standard-scoring leagues.
Fantasy Upside
According to ESPN.com, the "Cardinals added much-needed depth in the backfield" when James Conner agreed to terms on a one-year contract in April. Arizona was in need of another running back after letting Kenyan Drake go in free agency. That makes it all but certain Conner and productive holdover Chase Edmonds will share reps and responsibilities in coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense that asks running backs to be both rushers and receivers. Considering the narrow -- albeit relatively-high end -- band of production the team has gotten from Edmonds, a timeshare makes sense.
Fantasy Downside
Conner had toe surgery this offseason but is expected to be fully recovered in plenty of time to participate in training camp. Which is good news. But it's worth noting he's yet to put in a full 16-game season making it fair to wonder if he can remain in the locked and upright position for 17.
2021 Bottom Line
Conner hasn't yet replicated his 2018 Pro Bowl season of 973 rushing yards, 497 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns, but it's easy to see him building a role in this offense. Conner can catch the ball and run, although the former seems to be Edmonds' specialty in this offense. Fortunately, Conner has the brawn to run between the numbers and complement Edmonds. Last year Drake blossomed in the Cardinals' attack with career highs of 955 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores. Putting that expectation on Conner's shoulders would be stretching things a bit, but expecting him to have a significant role is not.
Week 17 vs Browns
James Conner had quite the roller-coaster season, but he has a chance to end it on a high note. He scored a touchdown and had over 100 yards in the first meeting against the Browns in a blowout victory. Of course, he doesn’t have Ben Roethlisberger handing him the ball this week, as he’ll be rested for the playoffs. Instead, it’ll be Mason Rudolph. Conner is a flex option after bouncing back with a touchdown last week against the Colts.
Week 15 vs Bengals
All of a sudden, the Steelers are struggling to run the football. James Conner returned to the lineup in Week 14, but only took 10 carries for 18 yards. The Bengals could be a get-right game, but Conner only totaled 48 yards on 15 touches in the first meeting in Week 10. Cincinnati has allowed 90 rushing yards to a running back in three out of four games since Week 10. Conner slots in as a flex option, No. 27 in our half-PPR rankings.
Week 14 vs Bills
Conner is back after recovering from COVID-19 and after both Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland had miserable games against Washington. Conner may not be his usual self, but should get an almost full week of practice for what's not a bad matchup in Buffalo. He's a low-end RB2 to start the playoffs.
Week 12 vs Ravens
Conner had his best game in a few weeks against Jacksonville, nearly hitting 100 total yards, but is on a three-game scoring drought. The good news is his last touchdown did come against the Ravens, and has touchdowns in three straight games against the Ravens.
Week 11 vs Jaguars
Conner has been surprisingly quiet in recent weeks. He hasn't cracked 50 rushing yards and 60 total yards since Week 7. But he gets targeted in the passing game, giving him extra touches. And he still vastly out-snaps the other running backs. It's all about opportunity and Conner gets plenty of it. And Jacksonville is a good "get-right" opportunity for Conner and we still have him as a top-ten option.
Week 10 vs Bengals
For whatever reason, James Conner just couldn't get anything going against the Cowboys. But that's now behind him and he moves towards a matchup with a Bengals team that he caught eight passes for 83 yards and a touchdown against at home last season (he missed the meeting in Cincinnati). Conner should be back in the gameplan this week, perhaps even more so if Ben Roethlisberger cannot play.
