Don't Panic After Trey Benson's Underwhelming Week 4
By Jared Smola |
Updated on Fri, Sep 26 2025 1:16 PM UTC
Cardinals RB Trey Benson carried eight times for 35 yards and caught five balls for 19 more in Thursday night's game vs. the Seahawks, the first this season without RB James Conner. Arizona went pass-heavy in this one, finishing the game with 41 pass attempts vs. just 12 non-QB runs. Benson looked good when he got the rock, averaging 4.4 yards per carry against a stout run defense. And he drew five targets for a nice 12.2% share. But he lost the majority of obvious passing-down snaps to RB Emari Demercado. Per Pro Football Focus, Demercado out-snapped Benson seven to one on third downs. Demercado also played 16 of the 17 snaps in the two-minute offense, with RB Michael Carter getting the other.
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
Benson controlled early-down work in this one, playing 87% of those snaps and handling eight of 11 RB carries (73%). While Benson's overall 55% snap rate is underwhelming, most games won't find the Cardinals running 17 plays in the two-minute drill.
Benson essentially has the role that Conner had to start this season, with Demercado stepping into Benson's old role. It's enough to make Benson a weekly RB2 for now. And we wouldn't rule out the possibility of him taking some of those passing-down snaps back from Demercado as we progress throughout the season.
Consider a buy-low offer for Benson this coming week after this disappointing stat line. He gets a plus matchup vs. the Titans in Week 5, followed by more difficult draws vs. the Colts and Packers.