After finishing his first season as a head coach with a 4-13 record, Jonathan Gannon said that while he was pleased with the teams’ fight, it simply wasn’t good enough. Now that those in the locker room and throughout the league have an idea how a Gannon-Monti Ossenfort regime operates, they'll look to build a playoff contender through free agency and the draft. The new league year begins on March 13, and with that comes free agency. Here's the eighth of 11 position breakdowns.
Free Agent primer schedule: RB March 5; S March 6; TE March 7; OLB March 8
Cap hit of players under contract for 2024 (via OverTheCap.com): James Conner ($8,930,000), Michael Carter ($3,116,000) Tony Jones ($1,055,000), Emari Demercado ($920,000)
Scheduled free agents: Marlon Mack
Need: Low
Analysis: Jonathan Gannon stood in front of the media ahead of the 2023 season and said the offense will play with a "cram it vertical" identity. The Cardinals executed the ground-and-pound game to perfection, averaging 140 rushing yards per game, ranking third across the league. James Connor had a career-best 1,040 yards rushing despite missing four games with an injury.
Whether it was offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's playcalling or the different backs in the room, there wasn't a drastic falloff when Conner went down. Emari Demercado stepped up, both in the run game and as a pass blocker, while Damien Williams made an impact before landing on IR. The addition of Michael Carter ahead of Week 11 provided a unique wrinkle to the offense.
Conner isn't a running back that shies away from contact but having Carter at Petzing's disposal allows him to get a rest on the sidelines when needed. Carter and Conner are both slated to be free agents after this season.
Could the team add another player through free agency or the draft? Like all positions, Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort will bring in pieces that'll benefit the team. As long as the one-two punch in Conner and Carter continues to dominate as they did towards the latter half of the season, the pieces might just already be in the room.
Notable past free agent running back signings: Conner (2021); Chris Johnson (2015); Rashard Mendenhall (2013); Edgerrin James (2006); Emmitt Smith (2003); Mario Bates (1998).
A look at some of the top running backs across the NFL who are scheduled to become free agents in mid-March
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for yardage as he's tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King II (25) during their NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) celebrate a first down against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Malik Herring (94) during an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift (0) rushes for yardage in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) carries the ball during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Green Bay Packers' AJ Dillon runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (21) runs up the middle during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) runs the ball against New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 24-15. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) evades the grasp of New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
