The Arizona Cardinals head towards their 2026 training camp with plenty of questions on both sides of the ball. However, one question they don’t have anymore is who will line up for them in the backfield.

Less than a year after injuries ransacked their running back group, they finally have a surplus of capable options at the position. 2026 third overall pick Jeremiyah Love obviously headlines the room and is set to take on the lead back role. But behind him, there are plenty of options. Former Atlanta Falcon Tyler Allgeier was signed to a two-year deal. James Conner has one year left on his deal. And Trey Benson still has another year on his rookie deal.

So who could the Cardinals end up shipping out of town if a team in need comes calling? ESPN senior writer Dan Graziano thinks it could be Conner. Graziano put out his list of top 10 players in the NFL to eventually be traded before the deadline, and Conner made the list, alongside a fellow 2021 Pro Bowler in EDGE Josh Sweat.

ESPN lists RB James Conner and EDGE Josh Sweat among top 10 NFL players to watch to be traded

“The team signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency and used the No. 3 pick on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love,” Graziano wrote. “Conner has been a great signing for the Cardinals, posting consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 2023 to 2024. But he turned 31, is coming off a major season-ending injury and has just one year left on his contract.

“Conner accepted a pay cut this past spring, so it’s possible he’s in their plans and that someone such as Trey Benson is more likely to get traded to alleviate the logjam at running back. But it feels like one of the Cardinals’ six RBs has to go, and a team looking for a reliable veteran back could make a move for Conner if he’s having a hard time getting carries. The Bengals and Giants jump to mind; they were looking for running back help this offseason but didn’t bring in much.”

While Sweat’s displeasure with the organization and trade prospects have been well publicized, Conner could still earn a modest return for the Cardinals. That is, if they wait and play their cards right.

Trading Conner — or any of their experienced running backs — before the preseason gets into swing would be premature. Someone could experience an injury or other roster shortage that would give Arizona some leverage at a better deal. And the more they progress towards full health, the better it is for their trade values as well. Conner (foot/ankle) and Benson (knee) are both still limited in OTAs after early season injuries ended their 2025 season.

It’s not hard to see someone giving Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort a call to try to find a running back in August, so we’ll more likely see then just which of the Cardinals’ runners could end up on their way out of town before the end of the preseason.