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Cardinals bringing in James Conner for a free agent visit

By Cole Thompson

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 22: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 22, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 22: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 22, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Cardinals could be adding another running back within the coming days. 

Despite a busy offseason, no one truly knows what to make of the Arizona Cardinals. The team added veteran like J.J. Watt, Malcolm Butler and A.J. Green, but neither of them will be playing in their prime years.

Then again, maybe a change of scenery is what’s needed to take that next step.

Kliff Kingsbury is entering a prove-it season. Arizona finished the halfway point last season with a 6-3 record. They closed out the year going 8-8, missing the playoffs altogether. The biggest need left on offense would be to add a starting-caliber running back.

Entering a running back who could be the guy.

According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, Arizona will be hosting former Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner for a visit. Should everything go according to plan, they likely will sign him to a deal.

Conner spent the last four seasons playing in his hometown after being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Is James Conner worth the selection?

The Cardinals will need to add at least one running back following the departure of Kenyan Drake. The currently has Chase Edmonds, Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward, and Khalfani Muhammad on the roster, but they are more role-players than three-down backs.

Conner finished is final season in the Steel City with 721 rushing yards and six touchdowns while also recording 35 catches for 215 yards. For his career, he rushed for 2,302 yards and 22 touchdowns to go along with four touchdowns in the passing game.

The addition of Conner shouldn’t take Arizona out of drafting a running back at some point. The 25-year-old is still looking to show he has breakout potential after recording a career-best 973 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018.

Arizona elect to go early drafting a runner, Alabama’s Najee Harris might be the best fit. Should they wait, North Carolina’s Micheal Carter has plenty of upside as well.

The Cardinals needs a runner and Conner at least would hold strong for a season.

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