If you’ve spent any time looking at the Arizona Cardinals running back depth chart lately, you know it's a bit of a mess. Honestly, it’s a miracle the team even had a functioning ground game by the end of 2025. Between the high-profile injuries and the mid-season practice squad raids, the backfield looked more like a revolving door than a professional football unit.
But here we are in early 2026, and the dust is finally settling.
James Conner is still the name everyone talks about. He’s the heart. He’s the soul. But he’s also 30 years old and coming off a brutal foot injury that robbed him of almost his entire 2025 season. Meanwhile, Trey Benson—the guy who was supposed to be the "next big thing"—spent more time on the trainer’s table than in the end zone.
Basically, if you’re trying to figure out who’s actually going to take the first snap in 2026, you have to look past the official roster sheets.
The James Conner Conundrum
Let's be real: James Conner is the most under-appreciated back in the league. Before the 2024 season, the Cardinals actually locked him up with a two-year extension worth $19 million. It was a move that basically said, "We don't care about the age cliff."
At the time, it looked smart. Conner was forcing missed tackles at a rate that rivaled Derrick Henry. But then the 2025 season happened.
Conner went down with a season-ending foot injury just three games in. For a guy who turns 31 in May, that's a scary proposition. His contract runs through 2026, and he’s set to carry a cap hit of about $10.25 million. Here’s the kicker: the Cardinals can save roughly $8 million if they decide to move on.
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Is he a cut candidate? Maybe. But head coach Jonathan Gannon loves the guy's leadership. You can't really put a price on a vet who shows the young kids how to be a pro, even if he's not hitting 1,000 yards anymore.
Trey Benson: The Sophomore Surge That Never Was
When Arizona took Trey Benson out of Florida State in the third round of the 2024 draft, the hype was real. He had that 4.39 speed. He looked like the perfect lightning to Conner's thunder.
Fast forward to now, and the evaluation is... incomplete. To put it mildly.
- 2024: 291 rushing yards, 1 TD. Missed the end of the year with an ankle issue.
- 2025: Effectively a lost season. A meniscus injury in Week 4 required surgery, and the team officially shut him down in December after he failed to make it back during his 21-day activation window.
Benson has only played 17 games in two years. That’s not what you want from your "running back of the future." The talent is clearly there—he averaged over 5 yards a carry in his limited 2025 appearances—but availability is the best ability. Until he proves he can stay on the turf, he's just a "what if" on the Arizona Cardinals running back depth chart.
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The "Next Men Up" Who Actually Played
Because the top two guys were in bubble wrap, we got a long look at the supporting cast. Some of it was okay. Some of it was, well, practice squad level.
Michael Carter ended up being the de facto lead dog for chunks of the last two years. He’s a free agent now, and honestly, he probably deserves a shot somewhere that isn't so crowded with question marks. He’s reliable, but he’s not a game-changer.
Then there’s Emari Demercado. He’s a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) this offseason. He’s got that weird "jack of all trades" vibe. He can catch, he can block, and he doesn't usually make the big mistake—except for that one fumble everyone in Arizona still complains about. He’ll likely be back because he’s cheap and knows the system.
The New Face: Corey Kiner
The Cardinals did something interesting late in 2025. They snatched Corey Kiner off the Vikings' practice squad. If you don't know the name, he was a stud at Cincinnati. He’s a downhill, sturdy runner.
He’s under contract for 2026 and provides that "James Conner Lite" style. If Conner isn't 100% or if the team decides that $10 million is too much for a 31-year-old back, Kiner might actually be the dark horse to watch in training camp.
Breaking Down the 2026 Roster Status
If we look at who is actually signed for this upcoming 2026 campaign, the list is shorter than you'd think:
- James Conner: Signed through 2026 (Cap hit: $10.25M)
- Trey Benson: Signed through 2027 (Cheap rookie deal)
- Corey Kiner: Signed through 2026
- Bam Knight: RFA (TBD)
- Emari Demercado: RFA (TBD)
Michael Carter is hitting the open market as a UFA. Given the way the draft looks, Arizona might just let him walk and grab a fresh pair of legs in the middle rounds.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Backfield
The biggest misconception is that the Cardinals need to draft a superstar RB in the first round. They don't.
The offensive line has been a bigger issue. Paris Johnson Jr. is a cornerstone, but the interior has been a mess of injuries. You could put prime Marshall Faulk back there, and he’d struggle if the guards are getting pushed into his lap.
The Arizona Cardinals running back depth chart isn't lacking talent; it’s lacking health and a consistent push up front. If Benson comes back healthy and Conner has one last "old man strength" season in him, this is a top-10 unit. But that's a massive "if."
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you’re a fan or a fantasy manager keeping an eye on the desert, here is what actually matters over the next few months:
- Watch the March 15th Roster Bonus: Conner is due a $1 million roster bonus on the 5th day of the league year. If he’s still on the team by March 20th, he’s almost certainly staying for the season.
- The Rookie Benchmark: Keep an eye on the 2026 NFL Draft. If Arizona takes a back in the 3rd or 4th round (someone like Justice Haynes if he falls), it’s a clear signal they have zero faith in Trey Benson's knees.
- Health Reports: Don't listen to "coach speak." Gannon will say everyone is "flying around." Wait for the actual training camp participation reports in July. Benson needs to be a full participant from day one to justify his spot.
The reality of the Arizona Cardinals running back depth chart is that it's currently a house of cards. It looks great on paper if you assume everyone plays 16 games. But in the NFL, and especially in Arizona lately, assuming health is a dangerous game.