James Conner’s talent and potential have been undeniable throughout his career. Yet, injury setbacks have marred his success. As he enters his seventh NFL season, it’s clear that Conner has faced his fair share of challenges. Despite missing a significant number of games, his prowess on the field has not gone unnoticed. Last season, Conner finished 19th among running backs in PPR formats. His performance gains even more significance when considering that he achieved this ranking while sitting out four games.
James Conner 2023 Fantasy Football Outlook
Unfortunately, a complete, injury-free season has eluded James Conner throughout his career. Each year of Conner’s career has been marked by his absence for at least two games. However, on a points-per-game basis, Conner has demonstrated his potential. His consistent performance has kept him relevant, defying the odds despite his injury-riddled seasons.
Conner had a productive 2022 season with the Arizona Cardinals. On the ground, he rushed for 782 yards and seven touchdowns on 183 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry (YPC). Receiving, Conner added an additional 46 receptions for 300 receiving yards and one touchdown. Conner’s three-down skillset and statistics highlight his versatility and contribution to Arizona’s offense.
Conner’s Receiving Ability
James Conner’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed, as prominent fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry highlighted him in his annual 100 Facts article. Fact 55 draws attention to Conner’s elite company. Berry placed Conner among the likes of Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, and Joe Mixon as the only running backs with over 300 receiving yards and at least seven rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons. Fact 56, however, reveals a surprising truth – Conner is the sole member of this impressive group being drafted outside the first three rounds.
Certainly, James Conner’s value is influenced by his injury history. Furthermore, questions arise about his potential touchdown regression due to the challenges faced by the Arizona Cardinals’ offense, compounded by Kyler Murray’s ACL injury recovery and the departure of DeAndre Hopkins. Despite these challenges, Conner’s potential shines through, especially in PPR formats. His prowess as an underrated receiver positions him to benefit from check-down opportunities, particularly in the face of Arizona’s inexperienced quarterback play early in the season.
The Last Word on James Conner
James Conner’s upside is limited by the struggles of the Cardinals offense, which is expected to be one of the NFL’s worst. Nonetheless, Conner’s reliability and skill set as a three-down back make him a valuable fantasy asset. While he may not carry the potential of an RB1, his consistency, and ability to perform when healthy make him a strong contender for the RB2 slot in fantasy lineups.
There are so many running-back-by-committees in today’s NFL, making Conner’s situation as a bell cow that you can find in the middle rounds of drafts rare. Conner offers fantasy managers a reliable option at the running back position on a per-game basis amidst the uncertainties of the NFL landscape.
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