Solak: Cardinals’ run game saw biggest offseason boost across the NFL

The Arizona Cardinals went all-in on the ground game this offseason following a dismal showing in 2025.

The moves didn’t go unnoticed by ESPN’s Benjamin Solak, who ranked the Cardinals’ running backs room as the most improved position group across the league this offseason.

Having 2026 No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love and proven veteran Tyler Allgeier certainly helps.

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Solak writes:

A bruiser between the tackles, Allgeier was a 1,000-yard rusher before the Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson in 2023, at which point he became a thunderous change-of-pace back. For a moment, it looked like he might reclaim the lion’s share of the carries with the Cardinals … until they drafted Love with the third pick.

Love has the lightning-quick speed and tackle-breaking ability to pair nicely with Allgeier’s gristly style, and he catches the passes on third down that Allgeier doesn’t want to see. Of course, any selection of a back with the No. 3 pick predicts a dominant share of touches, and Allgeier was signed for only $6 million per year, so an even workload split is far from guaranteed.

Arizona’s run game was in absolute shambles last year with injuries and poor play. It was 31st in rushing yards per game (93.1) and tied for 31st in touchdowns (nine). Only the Las Vegas Raiders sported a worse rushing attack at 77.5 yards per game and five scores.

With James Conner and Trey Benson down for the season, the Cardinals were forced to turn to Michael Carter, Bam Knight and Emari Demercado in the back end of the lost season.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Carter (0.8) and Knight (0.7) were two of the six worst rushers by yards over expectation in 2025.

Demercado, meanwhile, paced the league in that department, but will be best remembered for dropping the ball at the one-yard line following a massive run.

Carter paced the team in rushing yards with 333 and rushing attempts with 92. Demercado finished second in rushing yards with 312, while Knight was second in carries with 82.

It wasn’t solely on Arizona’s running backs, with an offensive line that struggled mightily in 2025. The line has since gotten healthy and saw big upgrades in veteran Isaac Seumalo and rookie Chase Bisontis, which should also help lift the run game from the bottom of the NFL barrel.

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