Chad Reuter of NFL.com recently projected that two Arizona Cardinals players will be on the league’s All-Rookie team in 2024. One, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., is obvious.
Some might be surprised by the other one, but then again, Trey Benson was the second running back selected in April’s draft and someone has to be on the All-Rookie team.
Jonathon Brooks of Texas was the first runner chosen and was picked by the Carolina Panthers with the 46th overall choice, 20 slots before Benson.
The question is how Benson will be utilized in the offense.
Reuter wrote, “Cardinals RB James Conner ran for 1,000-plus yards last year for the first time in his career, but remember how productive Bijan Robinson was for the Falcons as a rookie in 2023 after his Falcons teammate Tyler Allgeier had a 1,000-yard season in 2022? I think we could see a similar situation play out in Arizona, with Benson’s explosiveness in the open field resulting in big plays.”
While the latter might very well be true, it’s a stretch to mention Allgeier in the same breath as Conner.
Of course, Jeremy Bissett of NFL Draft Scout went a tad farther than Reuter in his assessment of Benson.
Bissett wrote, “If you allow for the cross-sport analogy, Benson joins an Arizona Cardinals team in definite need of a home-run hitter coming out of the backfield. With veteran James Conner taking on more of a short-yardage back role, Benson by season’s end could be competing with Marvin Harrison Jr. for (Offensive) Rookie of the Year honors. Yep, I did write that. Check back in January.”
Jeremy, we definitely will.
For the record, here’s what Reuter wrote about Harrison: “In a pivotal season for Kyler Murray, he’ll need to lean on Harrison early and often. Not every catch will be a big downfield play — the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison will also make third-down grabs over the middle and on the sideline to keep the chains moving. While it won’t show up on the stat sheet, Harrison’s presence could also open space for running backs Trey Benson and James Conner, as well as the Cardinals’ other receivers.”
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