Cardinals' Running Back Room Earns Top Spot in ESPN's Upgrade Rankings

The Arizona Cardinals' running back squad looks significantly transformed heading into the 2026 season. Departing the team are Emari Demercado and Michael Carter, while the roster welcomes this year's No. 3 overall draft pick Jeremiyah Love and seasoned rusher Tyler Allgeier, who has previously surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in a season. These major shifts led ESPN writer Ben Solak to rank Arizona's running back group as the best upgrade in his article detailing the ten most significant position enhancements of the NFL offseason, published on May 29.

Last season, the Cardinals' first- and second-string running backs, James Conner and Trey Benson, respectively, managed to participate in only seven games during the 2025 season. Although Conner found the end zone in each game he played, Benson showcased an impressive average of 5.5 yards per carry. However, the overall production from players like Bam Knight and Demercado fell short when compared to the potential impact that Love and Allgeier could have.

Solak highlighted the complementary skills of the new additions, stating, "Love has the lightning-quick speed and tackle-breaking ability to pair nicely with Allgeier's gristly style, and he catches the passes on third down that Allgeier doesn't want to see." Love's successful tenure at Notre Dame featured a split backfield alongside another first-round talent, Jadarian Price, while Allgeier thrived in a similar setup with First-Team All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson during his time with the Atlanta Falcons.

Adding to the mix are former Pro Bowler Conner and 2024 second-round draft pick Benson, keeping the competition lively in the backfield. However, concerns linger regarding the offensive line, with hopes pinned on the acquisition of former Pro Bowl guard Isaac Seumalo and the selection of Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis in the second round of this year's draft. Fans of the Cardinals are optimistic that Solak's assessment holds true and that the revamped backfield will deliver robust performances this upcoming season.