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USATSI

Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, Trey Benson was my top draft-eligible running back. He was eventually taken with the No. 66 pick by the Arizona Cardinals and was the second running back selected behind Jonathon Brooks. Standing 6-foot, 223 pounds, he's an ideal fit in a gap-scheme rushing attack because of his slashing running style.

Where Benson will need to improve is his patience and willingness to allow his blocks to develop. He'll also need to lower his pad level. However, all signs point to him getting better in this area. What's intriguing about Benson is his 4.39 40-yard dash at 223 pounds. Once he's out in the open field, he's going to be too fast for linebackers and safeties and too strong for most cornerbacks. Despite his lack of production thus far, Benson had 26 yards on just five carries in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers and could give the Cardinals a boost in the backfield if given more opportunity.

He'll have to fight for Fantasy relevancy with backfield mates James Conner and Emari Demercado, but he has the talent to see his role expand as the season goes along. He's currently projected for just two Fantasy points in Week 7 and 21 points for the entire year, but given the Cardinals' struggles on the ground, they'll likely be searching for solutions in the run game and could very well be the answer. Benson is currently rostered in 36% of Fantasy leagues, and if he's available in your leagues, he's a stash-worthy candidate.

Isaac Guerendo was a back I wasn't nearly as high on coming out of college, but he's proving he should've been higher on my list with each carry. In his final season at Louisville, he averaged 6.1 yards per carry and 4.11 yards after contact, which is mighty impressive, and then you add in the fact that at 6-foot, 221 pounds, he ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Despite his speed, I viewed him as a stiff-hipped back who I didn't believe was fluid enough to create for himself when rushing lanes are clogged. What I didn't factor in was his contact balance, vision, and ability to set up blocks.

Guerendo's vision was on display on his 76-yard run on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks. While he should've scored on the run, he stopped short of the end zone to "preserve the win" for his team, but this likely won't be the last opportunity for him to touch paydirt. Guerendo's style is absolutely perfect for Kyle Shanahan's offense. He's a downhill runner who is slow to, and fast through openings, and outside zone will likely be his bread and butter. It's going to be difficult to remove a player from the offense who is averaging 6.4 yards per carry, especially when, at least from my vantage point, his performance is seemingly sustainable.

Following his breakout performance against the Seahawks, Shanahan said in regards to Guerendo's 76-yard run, "We got a good bounce read where we got outside and usually when there's not two safeties there, which I don't think there were, you break them, and he's got the speed to do it..."

In previous interviews, Shanahan has spoken glowingly of Guerendo skill set and has professed his desire to see him earn more carries in the future. The future appears to be now for Guerendo as he looks to be the burner out of the backfield the 49ers have sorely missed. He could also be the missing piece to your Fantasy roster if you're in need of a running back. Guerendo is rostered in 8% of all leagues and is slated to put up just 5.20 Fantasy points in Week 7. His projection for the remainder of the season is a mere 39 Fantasy points, but he'll likely surpass those numbers if he continues to earn more carries.

For more Fantasy insight, be sure to check out the entire Week 6 Fantasy recap – or watch (and subscribe) on Youtube.