Jan 7, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) huddles with the offense within the first half towards the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Minnesota Vikings have loads of operating backs, a lot in order that buying and selling for one is perhaps perceived as unusual. However down in Arizona, Trey Benson is buried on the Cardinals’ depth chart, desperately needing a contemporary begin.
Benson’s buried function in Arizona may give Minnesota a low-cost probability so as to add contemporary backfield upside.
His inventory is at its lowest, and Minnesota ought to inquire about his asking value by way of commerce.
Arizona’s Foolish Depth Chart May Open the Door for Minnesota. Once more.
A late-rounder may drag the deal over the end line.
Arizona Cardinals operating again Trey Benson (33) participates in coaching camp drills on July 25, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The rookie runner entered camp with expectations of including explosiveness to Arizona’s backfield rotation after becoming a member of the franchise as certainly one of its notable offensive additions through the offseason. Obligatory Credit score: Joe Rondone-The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Benson on the Commerce Block?
CardinalsWire‘s Jess Root wrote earlier this month, “When the Arizona Cardinals drafted running back Jeremiyah Love third overall in the 2026 NFL draft last month, the running back room changed and shifted projections for the final roster. A player the Cardinals once were counting on as a key cog in their offense is now a trade candidate: RB Trey Benson, trade candidate.”
“Benson, a former third-round pick who many believed could turn into a starter, is coming off his second straight year that ended with an injury. He has top-end speed. He has averaged 5.4 yards per attempt in his career. He has good size. He has value and upside. As the season approaches, he might be able to be dealt for a late Day 3 pick.”
For context, right here’s the Cardinals’ RB room as of late Might:
Jeremiyah Love
Tyler Allgeier
James Conner
Trey Benson
Bam Knight
Corey Kiner
Too many. Benson may benefit from a geographical treatment.
The Historical past on Benson
In 2024, popping out of the draft, Carolina Panthers halfback Jonathon Brooks and Benson had been the 2 major RB names to look at — for fantasy soccer and real-life. So far, accidents have plagued each males’s careers to the purpose that 2026 appears like a make-or-break yr.
Benson is in a very tough spot as a result of he’s basically assured to get no motion within the Cardinals’ offense. They’ve Love, Allgeier, and Conner for these jobs — confirmed commodities.
Nonetheless, Benson is 6’0″ and 220 kilos, a perfect measurement for a workhorse operating again. He’s banked 92 speeding makes an attempt in two seasons, compiling 451 yards on the bottom, a landing, along with 19 receptions. In a profession that emphatically has not taken off — he’s missed 50% of all video games since 2024 — Benson nonetheless averages 4.9 yards per carry. Some staff, even when the Vikings will not be , should take a flyer on him. A person with roughly 5 yards per speeding try shouldn’t be squandered as an RB4 of the lowly Cardinals’ depth chart.
In that regard, this can be a golden alternative. The Vikings can return to the wishing effectively of poor Arizona decision-making which may propel their season with Murray on the helm. Strive it twice.
Final Phrase on Sports activities‘ David Latham famous on Benson final week, “Benson has no clear path to the field. LaFleur didn’t draft him, which means he’s likely the third or fourth running back on the depth chart.”
“Running back is an injury-prone position, but it’s hard to envision Arizona keeping him around with all the depth ahead of him. While they won’t cut him, they could try to trade him to a team that still believes in his natural abilities.”
The Commerce Value
That is the enjoyable half. Benson is buried. Like buried-buried. Thirty-one basic managers know that Benson is just not a scorching commodity; he’s staring up at Love, Allgeier, and Conner on a depth chart.
Arizona Cardinals operating again Trey Benson (33) carries the soccer towards the Buffalo Payments through the first half on Sep. 8, 2024 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Benson blended into Arizona’s speeding assault early within the common season opener because the Cardinals examined Buffalo’s protection on the highway. Obligatory Credit score: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Photos
It gained’t take a lot to accumulate Benson. For instance, if Arizona obtained cute and requested a Third- or 4th-Rounder for his providers, each suitor would decline, and the Cardinals could be caught with Benson on their roster — doing nothing.
For the Cardinals, it’s wiser team-building to nab a Fifth-, Sixth-, or Seventh-Spherical decide for Benson, realizing the RB room already has too many cooks within the kitchen. Arizona has no leverage; they tipped their hand this offseason by welcoming Love and Allgeier.
Fairly realistically and fairly, Minnesota may ship a Sixth-Spherical decide to Arizona for Benson and name it good. They’ll flip round and put his 5 yards per carry to work in an offense that desperately should repair its speeding effectivity.
Two Extra Years of Group Management
The ultimate cool perk? Buying and selling for Benson would welcome an inexpensive asset for 2 extra seasons. Benson’s rookie contract runs out after the 2027 season, at which level he’d hit free company. In the meantime, the Vikings’ major operating again, Aaron Jones, is previous. He will not be with the membership in 2027. If the entrance workplace already is aware of that, including Benson can put together for the Jones afterlife.
Arizona Cardinals operating again Trey Benson (33) fights for a primary down towards Inexperienced Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) throughout third-quarter motion on Oct. 13, 2024 at Lambeau Subject in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin. Benson continued to showcase his bodily operating model whereas Arizona leaned on its floor assault towards Inexperienced Bay. Obligatory Credit score: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos
Commerce for Benson and incorporate him into the 2026 offense, with upside of turning into an RB1 candidate in 2027 and 2028.
He’ll flip 24 in July. Go get him.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
