James Conner Fantasy Overview

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.