The Arizona Cardinals are unusually crowded at the running back position, which has fueled growing speculation that veteran James Conner could be made available via trade. For the Dallas Cowboys, already boasting a proven lead back in Javonte Williams, the opportunity to add Conner represents more than roster depth—it could transform their backfield into one of the most formidable committees in the NFC.
Williams arrived in Dallas via free agency after four seasons with the Denver Broncos and immediately delivered a breakout 2025 campaign, rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. That production earned him a three-year, $24 million extension this offseason. Analysts have repeatedly described the deal as a genuine steal given Williams’ impact on the offense, yet questions remain about the players behind him on the depth chart.
Malik Davis logged the second-most rushing attempts among Dallas running backs last season with just 52—fewer than quarterback Dak Prescott’s 53 carries. Jaydon Blue followed with 38 attempts, while the group also includes Phil Mafah and fullback Hunter Luepke. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has acknowledged the unit’s promise but openly challenged the backups to elevate their performance this year. Not everyone is convinced the current stable is sufficient, including ESPN analyst Mike Clay.
Clay recently highlighted Conner—along with Alvin Kamara and Trey Benson—as players in need of new homes, listing the Cowboys among logical landing spots alongside the Commanders, Colts, Bengals, Packers, Chiefs, and Browns.
Why Conner could be available Conner, a Pro Bowler in 2018 and 2021, appeared in only three games last season because of a foot injury. Arizona has since moved aggressively to refresh the position, signing Tyler Allgeier in free agency and using the third overall pick on Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. The Cardinals also retain Trey Benson, a name previously floated as a potential trade target for Dallas as an RB2.
Shared coaching connections strengthen the fit Any move for either Benson or Conner would carry built-in familiarity for the Cowboys’ staff. Klayton Adams, now the team’s offensive coordinator, spent two years as Arizona’s offensive line coach before joining Dallas. During that time, he helped craft a rushing scheme that produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for Conner and saw Benson average 4.6 yards per carry as a rookie in 2024.
Both Schottenheimer and Adams have long favored big, physical backs capable of wearing down defenses over multiple quarters. At 233 pounds, Conner perfectly matches that profile—the same can be said for the 220-pound Benson. Yet Conner’s age makes him the more realistic trade candidate. Having recently turned 31, he is unlikely to reclaim a full-time lead role anywhere, but he profiles as the ideal complement to Williams: a proven, between-the-tackles hammer who can spell the younger back, sustain drives, and keep defenses honest on early downs.
In a league where committees increasingly dictate success, Dallas sits just one calculated move away from pairing Williams’ explosive production with Conner’s veteran reliability. The price, by all indications, remains remarkably low. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the math is straightforward—and the rest of the NFC should be paying close attention.
