Running back Emari Demercado was claimed by the Dallas Cowboys after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs. The 4th-year running back has been a solid change-of-pace running back over the prior three seasons in Arizona. Demercado had chances with the Cardinals to show off some speed, ranking 36th in breakaway runs on just 44 carries.
He may push Malik Davis for the backup role behind Javonte Williams, but he will likely serve as a change-of-pace option rather than making a major impact in the Cowboys backfield. Demercado currently ranks RB79 on PlayerProfiler’s Seasonal Rankings, which would get pushed up if he sees playing time.
The Arizona Cardinals will not tender a contract to ...
Across 13 games in 2025, Arizona Cardinals running back ...
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado hasn't ...
With Zach Charbonnet sidelined on the PUP list, rookie Jadarian Price—armed with a 123.8 Burst Score (95th percentile)—steps directly into Seattle’s primary early-down role for Week 1. George Holani and his 129.8 Burst Score (92nd percentile) project to siphon high-value passing snaps, while 226-pound bruiser Emanuel Wilson supplies depth once cleared from injury.
Expect this touch distribution to contract into an even split once Charbonnet returns to command volume alongside Price, mirroring the committee Seattle deployed last season with Kenneth Walker III. In the meantime, Holani will be startable in deep leagues in the month of September.
With Kenneth Walker sidelined, Emmett Johnson earned starting snaps ahead of Emari Demercado and showcased the receiving efficiency that fueled his 98th-percentile College Target Share at Nebraska. Johnson combines that pass-catching floor with a 100th-percentile College Dominator Rating, giving him a complete profile capable of handling high-value touches in Kansas City.
Johnson has taken control of the RB2 role behind Walker, making him a priority stash in the late rounds of redraft fantasy football leagues and a smash pick in the second round of dynasty rookie drafts. Johnson is ranked No. 20 overall in PlayerProfiler’s 2026 Rookie Rankings.
Goldman reports that the team is “very high” on Demercado, who ran as the No. 2 back throughout OTAs. The Chiefs signed Demercado to a one-year “prove it” contract worth $1,250,000 to back up Kenneth Walker and then added Emmet Johnson in Round 5 of the NFL Draft.
While Emari Demarcado‘s veteran status grants him the inside track to backup duties, Emmett Johnson was a Heisman contender at Nebraska and was compared to LeSean McCoy by Andy Reid. Demercado will likely operate as the team’s RB2 and primary back on passing downs in September before ceding the role to Johnson as the season rolls along.
Kenneth Walker clearly fronts this backfield, but his ceiling remains heavily tied to passing game involvement after posting a meager 7.9-percent Target Share last season. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is challenging the talented rusher to improve his pass protection and route running, areas that have historically limited his utility on third downs.
Walker is an elite creator on the ground with a 31.7-percent Juke Rate, but a purely run-centric workload will keep his baseline projection locked into the RB2 tier for fantasy managers. He is worth drafting for the massive TD equity, but with the presence of Emmett Johnson as a passing down option, Walker’s ceiling appears capped at low-end fantasy RB1 in Kansas City.
The Cardinals can’t seem to catch a break on the injury front. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emari Demercado will miss Week 12 versus the Jaguars.
While this isn’t the best news, the 21-day practice window has opened up for running back Trey Benson. Fire up Michael Wilson in fantasy football while Trey McBride will challenge for TE1 overall on the week. Should Benson return, it will be tough to keep him out of lineups due to injuries across the NFL.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
