2020 Stats: 97 rushing attempts, 448 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 53 receptions, 402 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, 68 targets. Finished as RB 23
2021 Projected Stats via My Fantasy League: 174 rushing attempts, 794 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, 53 receptions, 394 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 68 targets. Projected as RB 16
Chase Edmonds 2021 Dynasty Outlook
Entering 2020 Chase Edmonds was the backup running back to Kenyan Drake and he still finished as RB23. Drake ended last season with a 54% snap share and Edmonds ended with a 46% snap share. As the 2021 season approaches we now know that Drake is gone, signing with the Las Vegas Raiders. That leaves Edmonds and not much else behind him for competition in getting the RB1 job. His current dynasty outlook is pointing up. Based on IDPGUYS ADP Edmonds is coming in as RB37. I think that is way to low and I'm going to tell you why he will be the Cardinals RB1 in 2021.
Support From Arizona Cardinals Organization
As last season moved along I started to see on social media and hear people asking why don't the Cardinals just use Edmonds as their RB1 for the remainder of the season? As we approach the 2021 season, it seems as if the Cardinals are giving us a clear answer. It looks like everyone in the Cardinals organization is on board with Edmonds being their RB1.
Will Arizona Sign A Free Agent Running Back?
Here is a list of the top remaining NFL free agent running backs.
- James Conner - Potential Landing Spots (Steelers, Dolphins, Jets, Cardinals, Patriots)
- Todd Gurley - Potential Landing Spots (49ers, Chiefs, Cardinals, Falcons but unlikely)
- Duke Johnson
- Adrian Peterson
- Le'Veon Bell
- Jerick McKinnon
- Wayne Gallman
- Rex Burkhead
Of this list, I only see the top two players being able to challenge Edmonds for the Cardinals starting job, were the team to sign them. Even though Conner (25) and Gurley (26) are in the prime years of their careers they do have some injury concerns. While Edmonds (24) also has some injury concerns of his own he has the added benefit of knowing the offense and being a year or two younger than Conner and Gurley. As for the rest of the running backs, they are more suited for backup roles in 2021. Lastly, the Cardinals rank 16th in available cap space for 2021 according to Spotrac.com.
Will Arizona Draft A Rookie Running Back Early In The 2021 NFL Draft?
Based on the fact that Drake and Edmonds had about a 50-50 split in snaps last season you would think the Cardinals would draft a rookie running back early to replace the departed Drake. Not so fast. Depending on where you look some sites have the RB position as an area of need for Arizona and some don't.
My hope is that the Cardinals don't spend a high draft pick on the running back position and focus of their defensive needs. I am almost certain they will draft a running back for depth. I will be keeping close tabs on the draft and seeing what Arizona does addressing this position. The Cardinals have draft picks in the following rounds.
Round 1 Pick 16
Round 2 Pick 17
Round 5 Pick 16
Round 6 Pick 39
Round 7 Pick 16, 20
Based on all of this, Chase Edmonds is looking like a nice sleeper pick in mock drafts. If he wins the starting job based on what the Cardinals do in the draft or with a strong preseason he's someone who could return low RB1 or high RB2 production. I believe he's the Cardinals RB1 for 2021.
