Chase Edmonds

Working in a timeshare with James Conner last season, Edmonds averaged 5.1 yards per carry and caught 43 passes in 12 games. He didn't get many red-zone looks but did lead all running backs with 3.6 yards per carry prior to contact. He and Conner wound up with almost exactly the same average scrimmage yards per game, 75.3 versus 75.1, respectively, but their campaigns could not have been more different from a fantasy perspective as Conner's red-zone usage resulted in 18 touchdowns while Edmonds found the end zone just twice. The Cardinals decided not to re-sign the Fordham product when his rookie contract expired this offseason, and he quickly agreed to a two-year, $12.6 million deal with the Dolphins. Miami seems to have no intention of giving Edmonds a shot at a workhorse role, however, adding the 26-year-old to a backfield that now includes fellow offseason addition Raheem Mostert. Edmonds could still pop for an occasional big game, but it might be the same deal as Arizona where he gets most of his work between the 20s and on passing downs.

Unlike the season before, a significant portion of Edmonds' 2020 production wasn't piled into a single game. Working in tandem with Kenyan Drake, Edmonds only topped 12 touches in one game while Drake was healthy, and only reached triple-digit scrimmage yards in one of those games as well. Even when Drake was out Week 9 against Miami, Edmonds turned 25 carries and three catches into only 88 total yards. A fourth-round pick in 2018, the Fordham product is solid at 
5-9, 210, and he runs with good power and burst. He's shown a three-down skill set, and Edmonds has also flashed some upside in his limited opportunities to handle a large volume, but for the most part he's looked like a player better served in a tandem or committee than working as a true No. 1. The Cardinals seemingly agreed, and after letting Drake walk in free agency they quickly added former Steelers lead back James Conner. Conner's injury history should give Edmonds chances to make an occasional impact, but given his own skills, there's no clear early/passing-down distinction between them. That might improve the offense's efficiency and ability to deceive defenses, but a split workload when both RBs are healthy won't do any favors for their numbers.

For one brief, shining moment between David Johnson's uninspiring reign and the arrival of Kenyan Drake, Edmonds looked like a superstar, erupting for 150 yards and three TDs Week 7 against the Giants. That game ended up accounting for more than a third of his total yards, however, as he strained his hamstring the following week and found touches hard to come by behind Drake at the end of the season. Edmonds offers three-down potential, combining good power, vision and elusiveness with soft hands, and while he lacks breakaway speed, he's still dangerous in the open field. Avoiding injuries has been an issue for Edmonds dating to college, however, so while he's already demonstrated he can be a weapon as the lead back in short bursts, he's better suited to a depth role than a full-time starting gig. With Drake heading the backfield and 2020 seventh-round pick Eno Benjamin joining the mix, Edmonds likely will have to make up in efficiency what he lacks in volume.

Edmonds' landing spot in the aftermath of the 2018 draft wasn't ideal for production, what with workhorse David Johnson in front of him. Furthermore, Arizona was finding itself after Bruce Arians' retirement. Due to the presence of Johnson, Edmonds wasn't projected to have much of a role in the Cardinals offense, but two coordinators later, this unit ended the year ranked last in both points and yards. Such a finish had a residual effect on the skill positions, and despite getting 21 percent of the offensive snaps, Edmonds managed 311 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 80 touches as a rookie. With Johnson still on board as the No. 1 RB, Edmonds isn't expected to receive much more work, but a new scheme under coach Kliff Kingsbury may help the offense approach its potential, even those (like Edmonds) further down the depth chart.

In the wake of David Johnson's lost season due to a dislocated wrist, the Cardinals made a concerted effort to overhaul the depth behind him this offseason. Both Adrian Peterson (released) and Kerwynn Williams (unrestricted free agent) were sent packing, and while Elijhaa Penny was kept around, the new coaching staff led by Steve Wilks decided to move Penny from tailback to fullback during the offseason. With unknown entities in 2017 fifth-rounder T.J. Logan and the undrafted D.J. Foster the only other true running backs on the roster, the front office took a chance on Edmonds in the fourth round of this year's draft. Edmonds theoretically brings the total package to the pros, but almost all of his production at Fordham came against FCS competition. His profile is nonetheless impressive, featuring 5,862 rushing yards, 905 receiving yards and a subdivision record 74 touchdowns. Edmonds is unlikely to get more than a few touches per week so long as Johnson stays healthy, but the rookie does at least offer the most potential among the handcuff options in Arizona. Edmonds likely will need to prove competent as a pass catcher and pass blocker in order to beat out Foster and Logan for the No. 2 job.