Arizona didn’t take Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 in the NFL Draft to create a cute committee. They drafted him because they think he’s the best offensive player in the class, and they want him featured out in the desert. That pick also made the Cardinals’ backfield math messy, because they already had James Conner, added Tyler Allgeier this offseason, and still have Trey Benson on a cheap rookie deal.
If Arizona decides it needs to clean up the room and turn one back into draft capital, Benson is the obvious candidate. He is young, cheap, and still viewed as a starter upside. His 2026 offseason profile had already been framed around what his role would be if Arizona keeps adding backs. With this scenario in mind, let’s do what we do – prognosticate. Here are three landing spots that make the most football sense, plus the one that should be in the mix even if it probably won’t be.
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Dallas Cowboys
Dallas keeps chasing offensive solutions while ignoring how fragile their run game has gotten. Benson gives them a young back with burst on a rookie deal, and the Cowboys get to spend premium money elsewhere. If Arizona wants a mid-round pick and Dallas wants a back who can carry 8-10 times without breaking the budget, here’s their chance. He would pair well with Javonte Williams.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are always one injury away from needing more speed in the backfield, and they’ve been living on patchwork depth. Benson fits an offense that wants to run with purpose and force lighter boxes for the pass game, which we saw work in 2025 for Justin Herbert. This is the exact type of roster move serious teams need to make.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati is built to throw, but the run game is still how you punish light boxes and close games. Benson is a low-cost way to add home-run ability without changing the structure of the offense. If the Bengals want to stop asking their quarterback to be perfect every week, this is how they accomplish that. He would pair well with Chase Brown.
Dark horse – Chicago Bears
Chicago probably won’t do it because they’ll talk themselves out of it, but they shouldn’t. If you’re building around a young QB, you want a run game that can create easy offense. Benson would give them a cheap, explosive option while they keep investing in the line and defense. And, at a minimum, create great competition in the room.
Final Thoughts
The Cardinals drafted Love to be the guy. If they want to avoid carrying a crowded RB room all season, Benson is the movable piece. And teams that miss out on big-name backs in the draft should start calling. Fast.
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