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Ranking the top 32 NFL running backs for the 2022 season

By Sayre Bedinger

Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (28) runs with the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (28) runs with the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL 2022
NFL 2022 – Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

20. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

2021 stats

  • 1,127 yards from scrimmage
  • 18 total touchdowns
  • 37 receptions

The Arizona Cardinals took a shot on James Conner in free agency last year, and it paid off for them in a big way.

Conner’s 2021 season is probably about as close to a modern-day version of something we might have seen from Jerome Bettis back in 2004 and 2005. Bettis didn’t average four yards per carry but it didn’t matter — he found his way to the end zone 22 times on 360 total carries over that timeframe.

Similarly, James Conner averaged a pretty ugly 3.7 yards per carry for the Cardinals last season but racked up a whopping 18 total touchdowns, 15 of which came as a runner.

Considering he also had a long of just 35 yards, you could say Conner was one of the best red zone weapons in the NFL last year.

The Cardinals decided that was the case by giving him a new deal in free agency.

Although he’s not spectacular as an all-around back, there’s plenty that Conner can do well, especially closing out drives by finding the end zone.

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