The Worst Running Backs In The League Just Got Solak's No. 1 Ranking, And Nobody's Ready For It

Alright, so we're at the end of May. NFL free agency, the draft, and even post-draft free agents are all settled. You know what that means: experts are dropping their "most improved" lists. And get this: Ben Solak over at ESPN just ranked the Arizona Cardinals' running back room as the absolute TOP improved positional group in the entire league! Seriously, the #1 spot. The Cardinals, who last season had a running back situation that was, frankly, a hot mess, are now getting praise for their offseason moves. Mind blown, right?

From Bottom Dwellers to Best Gains: What Was Even Happening Last Year?

Look, if you followed the Cardinals at all last year, their running back situation was brutal. Five different guys got at least 40 touches, which is wild. Injuries to James Conner and Trey Benson forced a three-man rotation with Michael Carter, Bam Knight, and Emari Demercado. Carter and Knight were rough. NFL Next Gen Stats showed Carter averaged 0.8 fewer yards than expected per rush; Knight was barely better at 0.7 fewer. Demercado? He led the league in rushing yards over expectation per carry at 2.5, but one big play ended with a self-inflicted fumble at the 1-yard line. Yeah, he ended up with one of the worst EPA per carry numbers of the season. Plus, Conner had a nasty foot/ankle injury in 2025 and only came back on an adjusted contract. Benson hasn't done much in two years, suffering two leg injuries. They had to do something!

Enter Love and Allgeier: A New Era in Arizona?

So, what did they do? They signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency from the Falcons. This guy was a 1,000-yard rusher before Bijan Robinson showed up, a real bruiser. He was looking like he might take over the lead back duties, right? Nope! Then they drafted Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick. A third pick for a running back is a statement! Now, with Love and Allgeier, Solak says this combo makes their RB room the most improved in the league. Love brings lightning-quick speed and tackle-breaking ability, and he can catch passes on third down. Allgeier is the gritty, between-the-tackles thunder. It’s a classic setup. Though, with a No. 3 pick, Love is probably getting most of the touches. Allgeier only signed for $6 million per year, so he might even be an interesting trade candidate if another team needs a back.

What This Means Moving Forward

This isn't just a tweak; this is a full-blown transformation for Arizona’s ground game. After watching their previous running backs struggle so much, the addition of Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier totally flips the script. It’s wild to think about a group that was so unproductive suddenly getting ranked as the most improved. For the Cardinals, this means a revamped offense and hopefully, a much more consistent attack on the ground. It’s going to be fascinating to see how this duo actually performs when the games count. Get ready, because if Solak is right, this backfield is about to turn heads!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.