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Phil Clark's fantasy football analysis for running back Trey Benson. Is this NFL rookie running back a 2024 fantasy football sleeper candidate?
After months of speculation, rumors, continual examinations of statistics, and a collection of iterations to mock drafts, we have finally witnessed the results of this year’s NFL Draft. A myriad of other factors also contributed to the massive buildup to this year’s draft, which represented a major step in shaping the pathway for each newcomer’s imminent arrival into the NFL landscape.
The results of this year’s draft process have also established the draft capital surrounding each first-year player, while also eviscerating all uncertainty regarding their landing spots. That includes the 2024 class of running backs, which does not contain a player who has elicited the massive level of anticipation that developed with Bijan Robinson and Breece Hall during 2022-2023.
However, promising newcomer Trey Benson has emerged among the most enticing first-year backs to target for your rosters, after his selection during Round 3. The 6-foot-0, 216-pound Benson's blend of size, speed, and power, has positioned him to seize a favorable workload as Arizona’s RB2 during his first season. He should also ascend into responsibilities as the Cardinals' lead back after James Conner completes the final year of his current contract. The convergence of his attributes and his encouraging opportunity have also presented the potential for Benson to supply fantasy managers with an unquestioned asset for their rosters during 2024 and beyond.
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Trey Benson NFL Rookie Profile
Team: Arizona Cardinals
College: Oregon/Florida State
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 216
Age: 21 (7.23.2002)
Arm Length: 31 1/2”
Hand Size: 9 1/4”
2022 NFL Draft: Round: 3, Pick: 66
Trey Benson’s Path To A Third-Round Selection
Trey Benson performed at O’Bannon High School in Greenville, Mississippi as a freshman (2016), and sophomore (2017), before playing football and basketball at St. Joseph Catholic High School in Greenville during 2018-2019. He was a two-time captain in football at St. Joseph as the Irish captured two consecutive 3A MAIS state championships.
TOUCHDOWN IRISH!!!!#E10 member Trey Benson finds the end zone for the second time tonight and St. Joseph scores to begin the second half. 2pt good. @SESMississippi
Greenville St. Joseph - 32
North Delta - 22
9:39 3Q pic.twitter.com/3roE6oJd1U— Jared Redding (@JaredERedding) September 21, 2019
He also stockpiled 3,616 rushing yards (144.6, per game), averaged 13.9 yards per attempt, and generated 48 touchdowns during that span. Benson supplemented his production as a rusher by assembling 250 yards and two touchdowns as a receiving weapon.
Trey Benson with the 78 yard touchdown for Catholic High Bears vs Byrd in the state title game. My man Cooking like hot grease! @tre_thereal @lloydtwo1982 pic.twitter.com/fZFvQOQBHv
— Coach George L. Hart (@GEORGELHART) December 28, 2020
That includes Benson’s numbers as a junior when he eclipsed 100 yards in eight contests and accumulated 300+ yards twice. He also erupted for 392 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground during one of those matchups while adding an eighth score after returning an interception.
Benson also accumulated nearly 1,800 rushing yards (1,783) and generated 26 touchdowns as a senior while surpassing 100 yards during 10 matchups, and exceeding 200 yards three times. He also generated 111 yards and three touchdowns in the state championship game.
Benson was ultimately rated as a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports. He was also the top-rated running back, and sixth overall prospect in Mississippi following his two seasons at St. Joseph.
Benson received offers from multiple schools including Penn State, Notre Dame, Purdue, North Carolina, Washington State, and Arizona State before enrolling at Oregon in June 2020.
Trey Benson’s Rise To Prominence At Florida State
Unfortunately, Benson’s tenure with the Ducks was dramatically impacted by a significant knee injury that occurred during his freshman year (torn ACL/torn MCL/torn lateral meniscus/torn medial meniscus/torn gracilis tendon).
Former Oregon Ducks running back Trey Benson commits to Florida State https://t.co/gbzE6mB0jk pic.twitter.com/gmn8tArY2i
— Oregonian Sports (@OregonianSports) January 18, 2022
Benson eventually resurfaced from his protracted recovery in 2021 but was limited to 14 snaps and assembled 22 rushing yards. He later entered the transfer portal and promptly transferred to Florida State in January 2022.
Benson’s decision to transfer fueled a sizable transformation in his collegiate career, as he led the Seminoles in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns during both 2022 and 2023.
Florida State RB Trey Benson over the past two seasons:
🏹 91.3 PFF Grade
🏹 1,899 Rush Yards
🏹 23 Touchdowns
🏹 Zero Fumbles
🏹 124 Missed Tackles Forced pic.twitter.com/LXwaWIYE0b— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 24, 2024
That included Benson’s team-high numbers in 2022 when he accumulated 154 attempts (12.0 per game), 990 yards (76.2 per game), and nine touchdowns on the ground. He also eclipsed 100 yards in five different matchups, scored multiple rushing touchdowns in three outings, and assembled 1,134 yards from scrimmage.
Trey Benson forced missed tackles at a RECORD rate last season😳 pic.twitter.com/KREMeY0CFV
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 23, 2023
Benson also finished ninth overall with 14 runs of 20+ yards and also registered 0.51 missed tackles forced per attempt, which was the highest average that PFF has recorded since 2014.
| Florida State 2022 | Attempts | Rush Yards | Yards/Gm | TDs |
| Trey Benson | 154 | 990 | 76.2 | 9 |
| Treshaun Ward | 95 | 628 | 62.8 | 7 |
| Lawrance Toafili | 93 | 457 | 35.2 | 5 |
| Florida State 2022 | Targets | Rec | Rec Yards | YPR |
| Lawrance Toafili | 30 | 24 | 268 | 11.2 |
| Trey Benson | 16 | 13 | 144 | 11.1 |
| Treshaun Ward | 6 | 6 | 19 | 3.2 |
| Florida State 2023 | Attempts | Rush Yards | Yards/Gm | TDs |
| Trey Benson | 156 | 906 | 69.7 | 14 |
| Lawrance Toafili | 69 | 463 | 35.6 | 4 |
| Rodney Hill | 50 | 190 | 15.8 | 1 |
| Florida State 2023 | Targets | Rec | Rec Yards | YPR |
| Trey Benson | 28 | 20 | 227 | 11.4 |
| Lawrance Toafili | 25 | 21 | 186 | 8.9 |
| Rodney Hill | 8 | 5 | 83 | 16.6 |
Benson also generated 906 yards (69.7 per game), on 156 attempts (12.0 per game), in 2023. That included his 200-yard, two-touchdown performance against Virginia Tech in early October, during which he also established a school record by averaging 18.2 yards per attempt. He also accumulated 14 rushing touchdowns, 1,133 yards from scrimmage, registered 3.5 yards after contact per attempt, and produced 15 rushes of 15+ yards according to PFF.
Benson also captured 20 of his 28 targets during his final season, while averaging 1.46 yards per route run, accruing 227 receiving yards, and becoming the only player at any position to register an 80-yard rushing touchdown and an 80-yard receiving touchdown in 2023.
Watch: @FSUFootball RB Trey Benson (@trey_uno1) hit a max speed of 19.8 mph on this 80-yard touchdown. #ReelSpeed #GoNoles
🎥: @ESPNCFB
🔗 https://t.co/orrD059ykP pic.twitter.com/dUhcOzM0JU
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) October 30, 2023
Trey Benson’s Performance At The NFL Combine
Experience of a lifetime, thank you Florida State ❤️ #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/pmkbAr293I
— Trey Benson (@trey_uno1) December 17, 2023
Benson was included among the 29 running backs who participated at the NFL Combine and the results that he delivered fortified his prospects of becoming one of the first players to be drafted at his position.
.@FSUFootball RB Trey Benson with a solid 4.39u to start Day 3
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/iaHS2KSPY7— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2024
Benson’s blazing speed was displayed when he completed the 40-yard dash in 4.39, which placed him third among all backs. He also tied for fourth with a 1.52 10-yard split, finished eighth in the broad jump (10' 2"), and registered 33.5" in the vertical jump.
Benson also achieved a favorable RAS (Relative Athletic Score), which is a metric that was created by Kent Lee Platte. RAS incorporates all categories that are measured at the NFL Combine toward comparing each player’s overall athleticism.
Benson’s RAS of 9.76 out of a possible 10.00, placed him 46th among 1900+ running backs since 1987.
Trey Benson is a RB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.76 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 46 out of 1904 RB from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/amLlJLVVbX pic.twitter.com/Zu1fXVn5AI
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 16, 2024
Benson’s performance in Indianapolis, and his enticing collection of skills, incentivized Arizona general manager Monti Ossenfort to select him with the 66th overall pick during this year’s NFL Draft. Those factors have also positioned Benson to secure a respectable role within the Cardinals’ backfield while presenting the opportunity for Benson to become a resource for fantasy managers as his rookie season progresses.
Trey Benson’s Opportunity To Thrive In Arizona
From garnet to Cardinal red pic.twitter.com/djXEZ5hK86
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 27, 2024
After months of speculation surrounding which franchise would draft Benson and how quickly that might occur, he ultimately became the second running back to be selected.
Benson also became the first back to secure Round 3 draft capital and joins the collection of 32 backs that were taken in Round 3 during drafts from 2014-2023. That list includes Benson's new teammate James Conner, along with Alvin Kamara, David Montgomery, De'Von Achane, Rachaad White, Kareem Hunt, Zack Moss, Brian Robinson Jr., and Devin Singletary,
Trey Benson goes to the Arizona Cardinals🚨
BANG❗️
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) April 27, 2024
Benson’s selection by the Cardinals during Day 2 of the draft is significant since backs that were picked during the initial three rounds are more likely to be allotted touches by their teams when contrasted with backs that failed to attain that same level of investment in Rounds 4-7.
The specific factors that exist within each landing spot will also impact each player's prospects of performing effectively in their new environment. Particularly in terms of how sizable of an opportunity they will receive to operate with a significant role, and how soon that might transpire.
Benson will be infused into an Arizona offense that will be operating under the direction of Drew Petzing, who begins his second season under head coach Jonathan Gannon. Their arrival in Arizona during 2023 was part of the mammoth transformation that transpired within the organization, as Ossenfort initiated the process of reconstructing the Cardinals’ roster.
Cardinals ranked #6 in rush efficiency last year
#5 in explosive run rate
just drafted FSU RB Trey Benson
he has 4.39 speed at 216 lbs
0 fumbles in his college career
Marvin Harrison Jr helping to create light boxes
outstanding 1-2 punch with James Conner & Trey Benson
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 27, 2024
Arizona largely relied upon their rushing attack in 2023 as the team operated without Kyler Murray during their first nine matchups. Murray’s absence was necessitated by his extended recovery from a torn ACL that was sustained during Week 14 of the 2022 regular season. Joshua Dobbs (eight starts) and Clayton Tune (one start) spearheaded Arizona's attack until Murray reemerged.
The Cardinals ranked fourth overall in rushing yardage during 2023 (139.1 per game) while finishing 10th in run play percentage (44.1%), and 12th in attempts per game (27.7). Conner easily led Arizona in attempts (208/16 per game), and rushing yardage (1,040/80 per game), while eclipsing 1,000+ for the first time in his career.
We have placed RB James Conner on injured reserve. pic.twitter.com/N2dMlCqlvd
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 10, 2023
However, Conner also encountered a knee injury in Week 5, which fueled his four-game absence from Weeks 6-9. Emari Demercado, Keaontay Ingram, Damien Williams, and Tony Jones Jr. all accumulated touches until Conner resurfaced from injured reserve in Week 10.
Jonah Williams set career-best marks in pressure rate (8.0%), 1-on-1 pressure rate (7.8%), sack rate (1.2%) and average time to pressure (2.99 seconds) in 2023 after switching from left tackle to right tackle for the first time in his career.#BirdGang https://t.co/pf0WGuqHUi pic.twitter.com/MRAUlSqYIR
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 14, 2024
The Cardinals also ranked 25th in PFF’s final 2023 offensive line rankings. However, Arizona made a series of moves to address the unit during the offseason. Former Bengal Jonah Williams was secured with a two-year contract and should emerge at right tackle. The team also agreed to a one-year deal with Evan Brown, who has attained experience playing guard and center during his five seasons in the league.
Arizona also re-signed veterans Elijah Wilkinson, Keith Ismael, and Trystan Colon, while adding Illinois teammates Tip Reiman (82nd overall) and Isaiah Adams (71st overall) during the the NFL Draft. Tight end Reiman should provide an additional resource for their blocking, while Adams played guard and tackle for the Illini.
The Cardinals' selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick and the presence of tight end Trey McBride provides Murray with two exceptional receiving weapons. That should combine with Murray’s renewed health to fuel an increased reliance on the Cardinals' aerial attack. However, Conner and Benson will also procure integral roles within the team's reshaped backfield.
Trey Benson’s Competition For Touches
Benson will be entering an offense that contained a proficient lead back last season. However, his path toward an eventual role as his team's RB1 is less congested than many other members of his rookie class.
Conner operated as the Cardinals’ primary back for a third consecutive season while providing a definitive reminder that he could still function as an RB2 for fantasy managers. Conner assembled an assortment of career-highs while vaulting to 13th in points per game (15.5) from Weeks 1-18. Conner also finished sixth with his aforementioned 1,040 yards last season despite missing four matchups.
He also surpassed his previous career-best in yards per game (80.0), while accumulating a league-high 11 rushes of 20+. Conner also finished third in rush yards over expected (211), fourth with a career-high 2.8 yards before contact per attempt and was sixth in yards after contact per attempt (2.2).
| Running Back | Attempts | Att/Gm | Yards | Yards/Gm | YAC |
| James Conner | 208 | 16 | 1040 | 80 | 459 |
| Emari Demercado | 58 | 4.1 | 284 | 20.3 | 118 |
| Keaontay Ingram | 35 | 4.4 | 74 | 9.3 | 41 |
| Michael Carter | 22 | 3.7 | 149 | 24.8 | 45 |
| Damien Williams | 11 | 3.7 | 43 | 14.3 | 28 |
| Tony Jones Jr. | 5 | 1.7 | 25 | 8.3 | 14 |
Conner also averaged a league-high 23.9 points per game from Weeks 13-18, while eclipsing 22.2 per game during four of his five matchups during that span. He also led Arizona’s backfield in routes run (204), targets (33/2.5 per game), receptions (27/2.1 per game), and receiving yards (265/12.7 per game).
| Running Back | Routes | Targ/Gm | Rec/Gm | Yards/Gm | YAC |
| James Conner | 204 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 12.7 | 211 |
| Emari Demercado | 160 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 8.5 | 109 |
| Michael Carter | 94 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 5.5 | 29 |
| Keaontay Ingram | 53 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 3.3 | 31 |
| Tony Jones Jr. | 52 | 1.4 | 1 | 5.3 | 22 |
| Damien Williams | 11 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 4 | 11 |
Michael Carter was released by the Jets in mid-November and Arizona promptly claimed the third-year back off waivers. Carter averaged 3.7 attempts/24.8 rushing yards/1.5 receptions/5.5 receiving yards per game following his arrival (Weeks 12-18).
Emari Demercado was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft and averaged 7.4 attempts/45.2 rushing yards per game from Weeks 5-15. Those numbers were largely attained during Conner’s absence when Demercado averaged 11.3 carries/48 yards per game.
Former Seahawk DeeJay Dallas signed a three-year contract in March. However, his involvement should be limited to special teams and Dallas is not a threat to siphon a significant percentage of touches.
Benson should leapfrog the backs that currently remain below Conner on Arizona’s depth chart (Carter/Dallas/Demercado). That will position him to receive a weekly allotment of touches while operating in a rotation with Conner.
Trey Benson’s Fantasy Football Outlook
Florida State’s offense utilized zone schemes and gap schemes during Benson’s tenure. He earned a grade of 89.4 from PFF while operating in gap schemes during 2023, while he also registered a grade of 72.7 while performing in zone schemes.
FSU RB Trey Benson has so many likable qualities. Insanely smooth for 6’1 220+.
This run is excellent and checks a lot of boxes. pic.twitter.com/9GT6Yph6Jm
— Brett Whitefield (@BGWhitefield) February 19, 2024
Benson also tied for fifth among all backs in yards after contact per attempt (4.0) and forced 124 missed tackles during 2022-2023 according to PFF. It is reasonable to question Benson’s decision-making on some plays in which he has failed to swiftly pinpoint holes that have developed. However, Benson’s favorable size, strength, and speed are supplemented by his agility, explosiveness, and athleticism. All of which will position him to capitalize on the touches that are distributed.
Lightning McQueen 🚀 pic.twitter.com/QbI7YHlpgg
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 27, 2024
Even though he did not operate with a mammoth workload during his two seasons as the lead back with Florida State, that has also shielded him from the level of wear and tear that other incoming backs have already absorbed before their entrance into the NFL. Ball security should not emerge as an issue after Benson advanced through his collegiate career without registering a fumble.
Arizona Selects RB Trey Benson 66th Overall
🔴 ZERO Career Fumbles Lost (316 Attempts) pic.twitter.com/g7jD5Jr5fq
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 27, 2024
Benson can also operate effectively as a receiving weapon and his prospects of accumulating targets are enhanced by the lack of a dynamic pass-catching presence in Arizona's backfield.
Trey Benson showing off the hands. pic.twitter.com/q5rELUapzt
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) April 11, 2024
Conner’s absence last season expanded his overall total of 22 missed games since 2018. He has also failed to remain in the lineup for more than 13 games during five of his last six seasons. Benson will secure an extensive workload if Conner is forced to the sideline once again.
Trey Benson is a good back that is tough to tackle. He will be behind James Conner this year but Conner both has never played 17 games and is a free agent after this season
Dynasty arrow pointing up for Benson!
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) April 27, 2024
Benson‘s prospects of ascending into responsibilities as Arizona’s unquestioned RB1 are also favorable following the 2024 regular season. Conner is entering the final year of his contract, and will also turn 29 in early May.
The likelihood of Benson accumulating touches as Arizona’s RB2 this season, and commandeering duties as a three-down back in 2025 elevate him among your most viable options at the onset of Round 2 during your rookie drafts. He can also be targeted in Round 9 of dynasty startup drafts and prioritized during Round 8 in best-ball leagues.
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