Stop us if you heard this before: a rookie had an underwhelming debut season after the Arizona Cardinals picked him early in the 2024 NFL Draft. While this blind item usually describes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey Benson has yet to make a splash since joining the Cards.
He’s ready to change that.
Most of the running back duties were handled by James Conner in the 2024 season, with Benson as a secondary and Emari Demarco and Michael Carter serving as backups. While all saw action in 2024, Connor did most of the heavy lifting. And in his sophomore season, the 22-year-old Benson is ready to show that Arizona has two star running backs.
Trey Benson: the Arizona Cardinals could have two RB1s
“I feel like I’m going to get a lot more opportunities,” Benson said to reporters during the recent mini-camp. “You know, help James [Conner] out a little more. I feel like we could have two RB1s on this team. And that’s my mindset. Two RB1s.”
Benson said that Conner’s workload last season “set the tone for me and set the tone for the whole running back room.” In 2024, the veteran running back racked up 1,094 rushing yards on 236 carries with eight touchdowns. He also caught 47 passes (out of 55 targets), leading to 414 passing yards and an additional touchdown.
Benson finished 2024 with 291 yards on 63 carries and just a single touchdown. He also went 6-for-6 in receptions for 59 yards. Emari Demarcado had 223 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown, while Michael Carter finished the year with 131 yards on 35 carries and also one touchdown.
“Being able to help [Connor] a little bit out—actually, a lot more—is the goal,” said Benson.
The running back also spoke about how he, like Marvin Harrison Jr., had bulked up. “I feel great. I’m seven pounds heavier than last year but way more explosive,” he said. Bendon added that he spent the offseason “getting my power and speed ready for this year coming up.”
“I’m itching for it. I can’t wait to show everybody what I’ve got.”
Run, Run, Run, Run.
The Cardinals seem primed for another run-heavy offensive year. And why shouldn’t they build on past successes? They finished 2024 seventh in the NFL in rushing yards (2451) and second in yards per carry (5.3).
They still need to translate that into points, as the Cardinals tied with the Falcons for eighth in the league when it came to rushing touchdowns (18). They also need to improve at holding onto the ball. Their nine drops tied the Baltimore Ravens for sixth in the league in terms of rushing fumbles.
Benson could be a major weapon in the Cardinals’ arsenal. In May, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay predicted that Benson would be one of the backup RBs to have a breakout year in 2025. Benson “never moved the needle due to a lack of playing time,” according to Kay. Despite that, the Florida State alum was “ incredibly efficient despite a lack of volume last year, posting an impressive 4.6 yards per carry and hauling in every target that came his way for a 9.8 yards per reception average.”
If Benson is ready to step up, then the Cardinals can hand him the ball and see how far he goes. He’s prepared to show that there are two RB1s wearing Cardinals red.