James Conner Fantasy Football Week 12 Scouting Report

James Conner
RB
, Arizona Cardinals

Age: 29
Weight: 233 lbs
Height: 6' 1"
College: Pittsburgh

ADP: 61
Depth Chart Ranking: 1

Pts	RuYds	RuTD	Rec	RecYds
126.4	697	5	24	247

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Scouting report

by Brandon Niles

· Oct 14, 2021 · 11:15 AM EDT

ARI RB James Conner - Week 6 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 6 at Cleveland Browns

James Conner had only 29 yards on 10 carries last week against the 49ers, but he found the end zone for the fifth time in three games. Conner’s short-yardage usage continues, despite the presence of Kyler Murray, but it’s hard to trust it to continue. He’s averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and his fantasy value appears to be very touchdown dependent. He has value, but be wary of any kind of touchdown regression. We have him ranked outside of starter territory this week, and fantasy managers should look elsewhere if possible.

by Brandon Niles

· Oct 08, 2021 · 9:40 AM EDT

ARI RB James Conner - Week 5 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 5 vs. San Francisco 49ers

James Conner had 18 carries for 50 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Rams last week, adding a couple of receptions for 16 yards through the air. That’s exciting, but the Cardinals were leading through most of the second half, and Chase Edmonds also received 12 carries and five targets. With Kyler Murray soaking up most of the goal line runs up until last week, it’s hard to expect that kind of touchdown production week-to-week. If he starts getting 18 carries every week, fantasy managers can perk up a bit, but blowouts resulting in 30 rushing attempts for the team don’t seem sustainable either. Keep him rostered, but keep him on the bench for now.

by Brandon Niles

· Sep 30, 2021 · 4:04 PM EDT

ARI RB James Conner - Week 4 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 4 at Los Angeles Rams

James Conner had 11 carries for just 43 yards last week against the Jaguars, but he found the end zone twice. He also added a 10-yard reception to his totals. While it’s hard to bank on Conner getting consistent touchdowns with Kyler Murray at the helm – Murray ran in his third of the season as well – it’s good to see Conner getting some red zone work. He’s splitting snaps with Chase Edmonds at about a 40/60 clip so far this season but is getting similar carries on the ground, giving him some value in standard leagues.

This week, Conner faces a Rams defense that ranks 22nd in aFPA to opposing running backs. The Rams will likely keep the Cardinals throwing the ball to keep up, which sounds like a tough day for the two-down role of Conner, making him a risky option for fantasy managers. Sit him this week.

by Brandon Niles

· Sep 24, 2021 · 10:23 AM EDT

ARI RB James Conner - Week 3 Fantasy Football Outlook

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.

by Brandon Niles

· Sep 16, 2021 · 4:03 PM EDT

ARI RB James Conner - Week 2 Fantasy Football Outlook

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.

by Brandon Niles

· Sep 10, 2021 · 10:58 AM EDT

ARI RB James Conner - Week 1 Fantasy Football Outlook

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.

by Bob Harris

· Jul 18, 2021 · 10:38 AM EDT

ARI RB James Conner - 2021 Fantasy Football Outlook

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.