The Arizona Cardinals have an improved running back room in 2026, as James Conner returns, Tyler Allgeier signed in free agency and Jeremiyah Love was drafted third overall. None of them are among the league’s top running backs, according to a poll by ESPN of coaches, executives and scouts.
The Cardinals will, though, face several of the league’s top backs in 2026.
Of the top 10 backs ranked and three honorable mentions, the Cardinals will face six in eight games.
The top backs the Cardinals will face
These are the backs the Cardinals will face who are in teh top 10 or receive honorable mention.
- No. 2: Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
- No. 3: Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
- No. 4: Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
- No. 9: Ken Walker, Kansas City Chiefs
- No. 10: Breece Hall, New York Jets
- Honorable mention: Kyren Williams, LA Rams
McCaffrey and Williams are in the NFC West, so the the Cardinals will face them twice each. The Cardinals and 49er play in Week 3 and Week 18. The Cardinals and Rams face off in Weeks 6 and 10. They face Gibbs at home in Week 5, Barkley at home in Week 13, Walker in Week 11 on the road and Hall at home in Week 15.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals play 8 games vs. 6 top RBs in 2026
