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Rashard Mendenhall | Running Back

Team: Arizona Cardinals
Age / DOB:  (25) / 6/19/1987
Ht / Wt:  5'10' / 225
College: Illinois
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Darren Urban of the Cardinals' website anticipates Rashard Mendenhall starting at tailback in Arizona this year.
Coach Bruce Arians has referred to Mendenhall as a "legitimate big-time threat every time he touches the ball," and he'll enter camp ahead of Ryan Williams on the depth chart. We certainly wouldn't rule Williams out of the competition, but Mendenhall is a safer bet. Both backs could have fantasy value in 2013. Apr 25 - 6:51 PM
Source: Darren Urban on Twitter

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Date:
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

One NFL front office man told the National Football Post that Rashard Mendenhall is "physically superior than any running back available in the draft."

The NFP's Dan Pompei suggests Arizona may have gotten "a steal" in Mendenhall, who will play 2013 on a one-year, $2.5 million deal. Mendenhall is still only 26 years old and ran a 4.45 forty coming out of Illinois at a rocked-up 5-foot-10, 225. Reunited with former Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, Mendenhall is a sleeper for solid RB2 value in fantasy leagues this season.
Source: National Football Post
Apr 14 - 1:50 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians believes Rashard Mendenhall is a "legitimate big-time threat every time he touches the ball."

Arians knows Mendenhall well from their time together in Pittsburgh. "He’s a big back who never has to come out of the game," Arians said. "He has a 230-pound body with 180-pound feet." Arians has lavished praise on both Mendenhall and Ryan Williams this offseason, but Mendenhall's history with his former coordinator is going to give him a big leg up in camp. Arians favors a feature-back approach, so the No. 2 runner isn't going to be in line for a lot of snaps.
Related: Ryan Williams
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mar 20 - 1:55 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert believes Rashard Mendenhall was never at 100 percent in 2012.

Mendenhall is no Adrian Peterson. He tried to return to action nine months after his ACL tear, but lacked burst and lateral quickness. He averaged just 3.56 yards per carry, had some trouble with his Achilles' tendon and got benched. If Mendenhall is going to win the feature-back job in Bruce Arians' scheme, he's going to need to prove his health.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Mar 19 - 12:44 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

Coach Bruce Arians referred to newly signed Rashard Mendenhall as a three-down back Wednesday.

"As a running back he's the total package," Arians said. "He's a big, strong, every-down back with speed who can pass block and also catch the ball." Arians knows Mendenhall well from their time together in Pittsburgh. He's also on the record saying he prefers to ride one back. Mendy will have to beat out Ryan Williams, but has an early leg up thanks to his history with the coach.
Related: Ryan Williams
Source: Arizona Republic
Mar 13 - 8:14 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

Cardinals agreed to terms with RB Rashard Mendenhall, formerly of the Steelers, on a one-year contract.

The addition throws a wrench into Ryan Williams' 2013 fantasy football outlook, though the two young backs will likely wage a camp battle. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians believes in true feature backs as opposed to committees, evidenced by his Mendenhall usage in Pittsburgh and Vick Ballard in Indy last year. Mendenhall is only 26 years old, and will be a full season removed from his ACL tear in 2013. Once compared to Edgerrin James by Arians, Mendenhall will probably shape up as a middle-round fantasy pick behind a weak Arizona offensive line.
Related: Steelers
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Mar 13 - 1:45 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

Free agent Rashard Mendenhall is "en route" to visit the Cardinals.

It throws cold water on the notion that he's about to sign with Denver, as players often never leave visits. The Cardinals also have a major need at running back, and new coach Bruce Arians knows Mendenhall well. Mendy could easily make the desert his new home.
Related: Cardinals
Source: Mike Jurecki on Twitter
Mar 12 - 10:27 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

Profootballtalk.com reports the Broncos are likely to sign free agent Rashard Mendenhall.

The Cardinals and Dolphins are also interested. Mendenhall's market has been surprisingly strong coming off a down year after tearing his ACL in 2011. Mendenhall averaged 3.6 YPC on 51 totes last season. If Denver lands him, it likely means Willis McGahee will be released.
Related: Broncos
Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports
Mar 12 - 9:40 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

Rashard Mendenhall will visit the Cardinals and Broncos.

Mendenhall may never make it to Miami. There appears to be enough interest in the former Steeler's services that a deal could be struck before nightfall. Arizona has the biggest need of Mendy's rumored suitors.
Related: Cardinals, Broncos
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Mar 12 - 4:20 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

In addition to the Broncos and Dolphins, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Cardinals are interested in free agent Rashard Mendenhall.

We connected the Arizona-Mendenhall dots before based on his history with new Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, but this is the first substantive report. The Cards may envision Mendenhall as a fallback option should they miss out on free agent Reggie Bush. Mendenhall is 25 and played under Arians for four seasons.
Related: Cardinals, Broncos, Dolphins
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mar 12 - 12:44 AM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

The Denver Post reports that free agent Rashard Mendenhall is drawing interest from the Broncos.

Perhaps Mendenhall's market will be stronger than anticipated. The Dolphins have also shown a solid amount of interest, and we suspect the Cardinals have some too with former Steelers OC Bruce Arians now running the show. Per Denver beat writer Mike Klis, the Broncos' level of interest in Mendenhall is "hard to gauge." The addition of Mendenhall would likely lead to Willis McGahee's release.
Related: Broncos, Dolphins
Source: Denver Post
Mar 10 - 3:43 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah is "hearing a lot of buzz" about the Dolphins being interested in free agent Rashard Mendenhall.

The Fins are committed to getting Lamar Miller the football more, but they need an upgrade on Daniel Thomas behind him. Mendenhall should be affordable, is still only 25 years old, and produced behind awful offensive lines in Pittsburgh. He can also catch the football and pick up the blitz, and Miller remains incredibly raw in the passing game. Mendenhall would be a nice fit in Miami. His addition would likely spell the end of Thomas as a Dolphin.
Related: Dolphins
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter
Mar 9 - 8:00 PM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggests Arizona as a possible landing spot for free agent Rashard Mendenhall.

New Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator during the first four years of Mendenhall's career. Much like incumbent Beanie Wells, he fits Arians' profile as a power runner that is rarely used in the passing game. Mendenhall will come cheaply after struggling in six appearances last season.
Related: Cardinals
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Feb 21 - 10:45 AM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reiterated that free agent Rashard Mendenhall is not expected to re-sign with the Steelers.

Nearly a month ago, the paper put Mendenhall's odds of returning at "not good," and those seem to have only gotten worse or stayed the same. Mendenhall, 25, might be smart to shop for one-year, prove-it deals after a disappointing season coming off a torn ACL. The Steelers have just Baron Batch under contract in the backfield. Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman are restricted free agents.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Feb 17 - 10:28 AM
Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wonders if the Steelers are transitioning to a zone-blocking scheme in 2013.

OC Todd Haley and new OL coach Jack Bicknell Jr. have expressed their desire to get away from offensive linemen "who get huge and then they can't bend and move," while they intend to find players "who can move, run and have the quickness off the ball 'to get into people.'" Pittsburgh is expected to make little-to-no effort to re-sign impending free agents LT Max Starks and RG Ramon Foster, while they are also poised to cut LG Willie Colon. The move to a zone-blocking scheme would suit a guy like impending free agent Rashard Mendenhall, but it would be bad news for power runners like Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman.
Related: Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Feb 10 - 10:55 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Carson Palmer
2Drew Stanton
3Ryan Lindley
RB1Rashard Mendenhall
2Ryan Williams
3Stepfan Taylor
4Andre Ellington
5William Powell
GLB1Rashard Mendenhall
2Ryan Williams
3RB1Ryan Williams
2Stepfan Taylor
WR11Larry Fitzgerald
2Andre Roberts
3LaRon Byrd
4Jarett Dillard
5Dan Buckner
WR21Michael Floyd
2Ryan Swope
3Kerry Taylor
4Robert Gill
5Javone Lawson
WR31Andre Roberts
TE1Rob Housler
2Jeff King
3Jim Dray
4D.C. Jefferson
5Kory Sperry
K1Jay Feely