Darrel Williams Signs With Cardinals: James Conner Fantasy Football Impact (2022)

On Monday, we learned that HBO is featuring the Arizona Cardinals on the in-season version of Hard Knocks during the 2022 NFL Season. On Tuesday, we received some slightly more relevant news: the Cardinals are signing former Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrel Williams.

Andrew Erickson shares his thoughts on the signing and what it means for Williams and incumbent running back James Conner.

RB Darrel Williams signed with the Cardinals this offseason.

Former teammate Patrick Mahomes vouched for Williams, informing Arizona that he was a back he both liked/trusted. Williams posted 1,000 yards from scrimmage, scored 8 TDs, and had zero fumbles on 191 touches in 2021.

With Darrell Williams signing with Arizona, I've got a hunch on who the new RZ back might be for KC in 2022.

It's not who you think. ?https://t.co/Hjmv8Zgqkp

— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) May 24, 2022

He also proved that he could shoulder the load with Clyde Edwards-Helaire sidelined with injury. In the six games that Williams was the clear-cut starter in the Chiefs backfield, he averaged 19 fantasy points per game (PPR) on 18.3 touches per game. Also averaged nearly 100 yards from scrimmage (96.3).

Williams is the James Conner backup to target across all formats, as he’d likely inherit the RB1 role should the injury-prone starter go down. His body of work as a receiver and goal-line back provides him immediate fantasy RB1 upside. The former UDFA led the Chiefs backfield in red-zone touches and averaged 4.5 receptions per game as the starter in 2021. His 47 catches overall ranked ninth.

I’m sorry but…

A RB that finished outside the top 40 last season in:

Evaded tackles
Juke rate
Breakaway Run Rate
True YPC

Doesn’t frighten my James Conner outlook for 2022. pic.twitter.com/fO7EOtW0IC

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) May 24, 2022

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