Arizona Cardinals second-year running back Trey Benson is set to miss his sixth consecutive week due to a knee injury. He remains on the injured reserve as the Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11.
However, one of fantasy football’s most trusted voices has labeled Benson as a “sneaky trade target” as the NFL star is set to return late in the season.
Fantasy Footballers’ Andy Holloway Says Trey Benson Is a Buy-Low Candidate
Fantasy Footballers analyst Andy Holloway urged fantasy managers to make a speculative move for Benson during a recent episode on his show.
“Trey Benson is a sneaky go-trade-for-it right now,” he said while discussing Benson’s injury timetable. “And while he’s still hurt, it’s not a guarantee, of course, because he had the meniscus repair. You don’t know exactly when he’s going to come back.”
“You don’t know for sure that he’ll be full strength. But this is another scratcher that you can grab. Semifinals against the Atlanta Falcons, championship against the Cincinnati Bengals. And I think once Benson is back, he will dominate the opportunities for Arizona,” he remarked.
Holloway’s logic is based on Benson’s trade value being low due to his uncertain return timeline. However, his fantasy playoff schedule and expected role make him the exact type of injured stash that can swing leagues.
While Benson was eligible to return last week, he has yet to be activated and will not play in Week 11. However, once he is activated, the second-year running back could become a leader in the Cardinals’ backfield.
In the four games before his injury, Benson recorded 42 touches and saw at least four targets in three straight games, showing the Cardinals trusted him in both phases.
When healthy in Weeks 3 and 4, he was one of only seven running backs to record 4+ targets and 35+ rushing yards in both games — a group that included Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, Breece Hall, Omarion Hampton, and Benson.
How Benson’s Return Impacts Cardinals Offense
Arizona’s current rotation hasn’t produced a clear leader. Bam Knight is averaging 3.3 yards per carry and is now dealing with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Emari Demercado has shown flashes in November but was barely used when Benson was active.
According to PFSN’s Offensive Impact rating, the Cardinals are graded with a 69.9 score and a D+ rating, which ranks 24th in the NFL. The offense has been inconsistent through nine games so far, as the run game has lacked stability and efficiency without Benson.
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Benson’s efficiency and versatility give him a strong chance to reclaim primary duties when he returns. His return could also provide the consistency Arizona has been missing throughout the season. All signs point to the second-year running back going straight back into a meaningful workload once he’s activated.
Holloway specifically highlighted Benson’s fantasy playoff matchups:
- Week 16 (Semifinals): vs. Falcons
- Week 17 (Championship): at Bengals
Both matchups are far more favorable for RBs than Benson’s early-season slate, boosting his appeal as a late-season upside play. With a shaky backfield in Arizona and favorable playoff matchups ahead, Benson might be the exact profile of a low-cost stash who can pay off big when it matters most.