Trey Benson is in a make-or-break year for his dynasty outlook heading into 2025. It would be one thing if he was the clear backup for James Conner in 2024, but the time he spent split with Emari Demarcado and other backs people forgot were on the Cardinals cause room for concern. With his current performance, future outlook, and current price on popular dynasty trade tools, let’s take a deeper look at Trey Benson and his dynasty outlook.
Trey Benson, Cardinals Running Back Dynasty Outlook
Trey Benson Fantasy Football Performance
In a largely disappointing rookie season, Benson accumulated 63 carries for 291 yards, largely as a backup/rotational back for Conner. It was a redshirt season for Benson as he worked to improve some of his pass protection issues, which popped up on his college tape. He’s still an explosive player, but working in a limited snapshare because of his limitations in the passing game kept his usage low and his playtime sporadic at best.
Trey Benson’s Projected 2025 Role
The Cardinals head coach was recently quoted as having “two number one backs” per Donnie Druin. But Druin goes on to state that Conner is still the bellcow, and it’s more a hope that Benson can turn into that guy rather than a foregone conclusion. For 2025 expectations, it’s likely that Conner is the 1a, and if Benson takes a step forward, we expect he can be a 1b or the clear handcuff for the team. Benson will be a favorite among handcuff rankings for 2025, and if he has a role larger than that, it would be a huge win for him and an unfortunate loss of volume for Conner managers.
Trey Benson Dynasty Price
Benson is currently the RB36, in the same range as the 2.04 and Tank Bigsby. He’s a young running back with good draft capital, but his current performance for dynasty teams isn’t inspiring a rise. Before the NFL draft, he’s a risky bet to maintain hold of the backup role as the Cardinals have four picks in the top 120 in a loaded running back class.
What to do with Trey Benson
This all goes back to how you felt about Benson before the 2024 NFL draft. Believers in his talent will think that he’s a buy, as it’s unlikely to get a running back with better draft capital at the 2.04 spot. Haters will want to sell him since he hasn’t done anything of note in the NFL. James Conner signed an extension last season, but the guaranteed money makes it more of a one-year deal than a long-term option. At 30 years old, Conner isn’t exactly a spring chicken.
Benson supporters should buy him at his current price but temper expectations for 2025. If the team doesn’t add anyone of note during the draft, there will be multiple opportunities for him to improve his stock heading into the 2026 season, whether as a fill-in for Conner or if the team decides to cut him before the 2026 draft.
Benson deniers should hold him with the same opportunities for him to gain value but look to offload him once his price rises. I still believe in the explosiveness and contact balance of the young back, but if he’s not the exciting back in the offense in 2025, there’s a chance he fades into dynasty obscurity.
Main Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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