Zonovan Knight
Arizona CardinalsSeason Stats
STM Take
The 2025 #56 (tier 8) is his first ranking since the 2022 Jets rookie sample, and the underlying numbers are more interesting than the rank. The Wk 11-13 stretch (14.5, 13.2, 16.8 PPR) shows what happens when both Conner and Benson are limited; he was the lead back in those weeks. The Wk 15 -0.2 PPR shows what the rotation looks like when he is third in line.
Knight came out of NC State as an undrafted free agent in 2022 after a four-year college career that produced 2,448 rushing yards across the Wolfpack's backfield rotation. The New York Jets signed him after the draft and he posted a brief rookie breakout (300 yards on 3 starts in late 2022) when the Jets' backfield was decimated by injuries. He has since bounced through Detroit and Arizona as depth, with 2025 his first season cracking a meaningful Cardinals rotation behind James Conner and Trey Benson.
Strengths
- 2022 Jets rookie sample (300 rushing yards across 3 starts) and the 2025 mid-season Cardinals stretch (14.5, 13.2, 16.8 PPR across three consecutive weeks) show he can run starter-grade carries in spot duty.
- UDFA who has stuck in the NFL for four seasons means the underlying traits (pass-protection, ball-security) are above the UDFA baseline.
Concerns
- Outside of the 2022 rookie cameo and the 2025 Wk 11-13 stretch he has produced essentially nothing across four NFL seasons.
- The Wk 15 -0.2 PPR shows the immediate floor when Conner and Benson are both healthy. He is fighting for the third spot, not pushing for the lead.
What to watch: Whether Arizona keeps him through 2026 final cuts or moves on with Demercado and a younger draftee filling the depth spot.