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James Conner Agrees To Terms With Cardinals
Yesterday James Conner visited Arizona and today he decided to stay. The Cardinals are signing Conner, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports first reported.

According to ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss, the "Cardinals added much-needed depth in the backfield" when Conner agreed to terms on a one-year contract.

From a fantasy perspective, that's the key.

Arizona was in need of another running back after letting Kenyan Drake go in free agency. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Weinfuss went on to explain that Conner, 25, will be paired with Chase Edmonds to form the Cardinals' 2021 backfield. It's expected that they'll share reps and responsibilities in coach Kliff Kingsbury's offense that asks running backs to be both rushers and receivers.

A fourth-round pick in 2018, Edmonds accounted for 850 yards from scrimmage in 2020 — 448 rushing, 402 receiving — and had five total touchdowns. Conner had 721 yards rushing in 13 games last year, also making 35 receptions for 215 yards.

Conner will reunite with Cardinals running backs coach James Saxon, who was his position coach in Pittsburgh in 2017 and 2018.

Connor went to the Pro Bowl in 2018 under Saxon's tutelage after rushing for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns, tied for the third most in the NFL that season, and while catching 55 passes for 497 yards and a touchdown in 13 games.

In addition to Conner and Edmonds, the Cardinals have Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward and Khalfani Muhammad at the position as well.

Conner had toe surgery this offseason but is expected to be fully recovered in plenty of time to participate in training camp.

The Cardinals have been active in adding well-known veteran players to the roster this offseason. Conner joins a list of new Cardinals that also includes defensive end J.J. Watt, wide receiver A.J. Green, cornerback Malcolm Butler, kicker Matt Prater, safety Shawn Williams, guard Brian Winters and center Rodney Hudson.

This prompted NFL.com's Nick Shook to contend Conner will be expected to contribute from the outset, as Arizona has clearly demonstrated it is all-in for 2021.

It's a fair point and makes even more sense considering the narrow -- albeit relatively-high end -- band of production the team has gotten from Edmonds.