Open Nav
Show Navigation
Show Menu

James Conner Fantasy Overview

James Conner

James Conner
Player Profile

RB ARI

Height

6'1"

Weight

233 lbs.

Experience

8 yrs.

Bye

8

Birthday

May 05, 1995

Age

30.1

College

Pittsburgh

NFL Draft Pick

2017 - Rd 3, Pk 105

Fantasy Rankings & Projections

Fantasy Rankings

Weekly
BYE -
Season
RB {{playerPageAppVar.projectionForRestOfSeason && playerPageAppVar.projectionForRestOfSeason.rank[selectedScoringConfig.fantasyPtsKey] ? playerPageAppVar.projectionForRestOfSeason.rank[selectedScoringConfig.fantasyPtsKey].rank : "-"}}
Dynasty
RB29

2025 Projections

Rush Yds Rush TDs Rec Rec Yds Rec TDs Fantasy Pts
{{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection.rush_yds.toFixed(1) : '0'}} {{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection.rush_tds.toFixed(1) : '0'}} {{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection.rec_catch.toFixed(1) : '0'}} {{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection.rec_yds.toFixed(1) : '0'}} {{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection.rec_tds.toFixed(1) : '0'}} {{fullPreSeasonProjection ? fullPreSeasonProjection[selectedScoringConfig.fantasyPtsKey].toFixed(1) : '0'}}

DS 3D Projection

James Conner's Preseason Player Analysis

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Conner recorded 1,094 rushing yards (11th) and eighth rushing TDs (13th) on 236 carries, while adding 47 receptions (10th) for 414 receiving yards (6th) and a score.

He tallied 251.8 PPR points (RB11) and averaged 15.7 points per game (RB11).

Conner finished as a top-12 RB six times and top-24 in 12 games, with only two games outside the top 36 — a picture of weekly consistency.

Usage & Role

Conner averaged 15.5 carries (56.0% share) and 3.5 targets per game (11.3% share).

He dominated short-yardage work, handling 80% of Arizona’s inside-the-5 rush attempts (12 total).

His target share also rose slightly late in the season when Keaontay Ingram and Emari Demercado were off the field.

He was the clear feature back on both early downs and in red-zone situations.

Efficiency Metrics

Conner was one of the most efficient RBs in the NFL in 2024:

  • 90.6 PFF rushing grade (4th)
  • 3.30 yards after contact per attempt (15th)
  • 0.29 missed tackles forced per attempt (2nd)
  • 100.3 Elusive Rating (7th)
  • 1.54 yards per route run (7th among RBs)

Conner continued to thrive in gap-heavy concepts (162 gap vs. 70 zone runs) and finished 13th in breakaway run rate (31.0%), despite being viewed as more of a bruiser than a burner.

Offensive Context

Arizona leaned on Conner and the run, ranking third in yards per carry and seventh in rush yards.

The Cardinals began the season run-heavy (-5.1% pass rate over expected pre-bye), then flipped pass-heavy after Week 11 (+6.7% PROE), but Conner’s production remained stable.

Historical Production & Trends

Conner has now posted back-to-back seasons with a PFF rushing grade over 85, joining Derrick Henry and Kenneth Walker as the only backs to do so.

He remains one of the league’s most reliable tackle-breakers and red-zone finishers and continues to outperform expectations as a receiver despite limited volume.

Injury History

Conner stayed healthy through most of the fantasy season, but a knee injury in Week 17 landed him on injured reserve to end the season.

He has missed at least one game every season since 2019, and now has been placed on IR due to a knee injury for two straight seasons.

Entering 2025 at age 30, durability remains his biggest question.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

Conner enters 2025 as the unquestioned No. 1 RB for Arizona. He signed a two-year deal keeping him on the team through 2026.

Second-year RB Trey Benson will be the primary backup while being developed as a complement to Conner.

The Cardinals return veterans Emari Demercado and DeeJay Dallas.

Supporting Cast

QB Kyler Murray leads a group of returning skill players looking to take the next step.

Second-year WR Marvin Harrison Jr. will look to take the next step to becoming an elite receiving option. WRs Michael Wilson and Zay Jones also return.

Trey McBride became the highest-paid TE in the NFL with a new deal this offseason. They also return blocking TE Tip Reiman.

All five OL starters return in OTs Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams and interior linemen Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, and Isaiah Adams.

Last year, the OL had a 60% pass block win rate (16th) and 72% run blocking win rate (11th).

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

OC Drew Petzing's system blended horizontal spacing with occasional deep shots and leaned heavily on yards after catch.

The Cardinals ranked 21st in the NFL in total plays and 19th in pace.

Their pass rate was only 22nd in the NFL, but they were 11th in neutral pass rate.

The team continued to focus on running with Conner ranking 11th in rush attempts and third in yards per carry.

Advanced Stats

Forty Yard Dash

4.65

Forty Yard Dash Rank

29%

Three Cone Drill

7.41

Agility Score

11.72

Agility Score Rank

20%

Burst Score

105.80

Burst Score Rank

6%

Spar Qx

105.00

Spar Qx Rank

34%

Speed Score

99.70

Speed Score Rank

65%

VIEW MORE ADVANCED STATS

Related Articles

Video: How to Win QBs in Superflex Drafts Like a Pro

Video: How to Win QBs in Superflex Drafts Like a Pro

12:58pm UTC 6/13/25

Does Patrick Mahomes belong in the top tier of QBs? This superflex mock draft explores Mahomes' value and upside, plus LOTS more players and strategies.

Read More »
Video: What We Got Right in 2024

Video: What We Got Right in 2024

4:45pm UTC 3/14/25

Jayden Daniels turned into one of the best fantasy football picks of 2024. See what else went right for us -- and how that should shape your 2025 drafting.

Read More »

Shark Bites

James Conner RB ARI
12:18pm UTC 5/30/25

James Conner In For Another Big Workload

James Conner In For Another Big Workload

Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon said RB James Conner is "getting himself ready to carry the load for us."

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) won't play in this weekend's game vs. the 49ers, HC Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday. RB Trey Benson (ankle) was placed on IR on Tuesday, leaving Michael Carter as Arizona's lead back for the finale. He out-touched RB DeeJay Dallas 15-1 in last week's loss to the Rams and sits surprisingly high in the Week 18 RB Rankings.

Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) is active for tonight’s game vs. the Rams. RB Trey Benson (ankle) is inactive, leaving RBs Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas behind Conner. Conner was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable after hurting his knee six days ago. He won’t be at 100% tonight and could have his touches scaled back with the Cardinals eliminated from postseason contention. Check your Team Intel page to see if Conner belongs in your starting lineup.

Compare Plans » Compare Plans »