The Arizona Cardinals used the third overall pick on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, and that selection has put James Conner's future in Arizona in question.
With Love installed as the unquestioned RB1, and Tyler Allgeier and Trey Benson also in the mix, the Cardinals have a crowded backfield and a veteran in Conner who could become more valuable as a trade chip than as a reduced-usage back.
Conner, a two-time Pro Bowler with two 1,000-yard seasons, is on a reworked one-year deal and turns 31 this season.
Here are three landing spots that make the most sense.
Cincinnati Bengals
ESPN's Dan Graziano named the Bengals as a team that jumps to mind, noting they were looking for running back help this offseason but did not bring in much.
Chase Brown is Cincinnati's clear RB1 after a breakout 2024, rushing for over 1,000 yards, but the depth behind him is a concern with Samaje Perine well past his prime.
Conner would give a Joe Burrow-led contender a proven veteran who can shoulder a real workload if injury strikes, ensuring the offense does not fall off behind Brown.
New York Giants
Graziano also pointed to the Giants, who similarly sought backfield help this offseason without making a major addition.
Conner's physical, tone-setting running style would fit a team looking to establish balance and take pressure off its quarterback situation.
As a proven short-yardage and goal-line presence, he offers stability that the Giants' current group lacks, and his veteran leadership would be an asset in a young locker room.
Houston Texans
The Texans are betting on David Montgomery and Woody Marks in their backfield, but depth remains a question if injuries hit or the run game stalls.
Conner has made a career out of winning ugly carries in condensed areas, exactly the kind of back that would help C.J. Stroud and keep Houston's offense from becoming one-dimensional.
A Montgomery-Marks-Conner trio would give the Texans different answers depending on the situation, with Conner serving as a short-yardage and four-minute-offense specialist for a team with playoff aspirations.
Conner is not worth much more than a late-round pick at this stage, which makes him an affordable addition for any contender willing to add a dependable veteran to the backfield.
