James Conner rumors: 3 potential landing spots in free agency

1. Arizona Cardinals

After his nice run after they acquired him in 2019, the Arizona Cardinals essentially told Kenyan Drake to prove it by transition tagging him last offseason. He had 10 touchdowns on the ground last season, but he only averaged 4.0 yards per carry and offered little as a pass catcher (25 receptions for 137 yards). The calls for Chase Edmonds (4.6 yards per carry; 53 receptions) were prevalent and easy.

Without the contribution of quarterback Kyler Murray (819 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns) the Cardinals’ running game was not very good in 2020. It seems certain Drake will be allowed to leave in free agency, and along with any uptick in playing time Edmonds should get adding another back is on the radar.

With the aforementioned nose for the end zone, Conner would fit nicely in Arizona’s backfield. A mobile quarterback who can throw downfield will provide better room to run than he saw in Pittsburgh. If head coach Kliff Kingsbury can discover some imagination in scheme and play-calling, that would be helpful too. The Cardinals were last in the league in shift/motion rate last season.

More simply, the Cardinals need to bolster Murray’s supporting cast. They should have some interest in Conner, and if the price is right he might be the guy tabbed to replace and be better than Drake.