Emari Demercado

Demercado is 3rd string in Kansas City behind Kenneth Walker III (3yr/$43M starter) and Brashard Smith, the preferred passing-down hybrid back who caught 25 passes in 2025. There is no clear path to a featured role absent multiple injuries.

Even with Conner and Benson injured, totaled only 18 touches in four games vs Knight's 37 and Carter's 44. Third-string pecking order with unclear path to meaningful volume.

Demercado sits behind James Conner (under contract through 2026 on a $19M extension), Trey Benson (2024 3rd-round pick, value), and has been outplayed by Michael Carter and Bam Knight when given opportunities in 2025.

Arizona did not tender Demercado as a restricted free agent, signaling the organization viewed him as replaceable. He signed a one-year deal with KC to fill the Jerick McKinnon third-down specialist role — not a starter, not a featured back.

Only ~$550K guaranteed on a one-year deal in a crowded room (Walker, Johnson, Brashard Smith) makes him a realistic final-cuts casualty if Johnson or Smith claim the pass-catching role.

The McKinnon role in KC historically generated 40-55 catches per season with Patrick Mahomes. Demercado's pass-catching ability gives him a real PPR floor if he wins the job cleanly and stays healthy.

If KC's primary early-down back suffers a multi-week injury, Demercado could absorb a meaningful volume spike. However, Brashard Smith is also present, diluting that handcuff ceiling significantly.

If both Conner and Benson suffer setbacks simultaneously, Demercado could emerge as a committee member with flex appeal. However, the 2025 season showed Carter and Knight are ahead in the pecking order even in this scenario.

Demercado led the entire NFL in yards after contact per attempt (5.52) in 2025, a legitimate elite trait that fits the third-down grind-for-first-downs role KC employs.

KC specifically signed him as a pass-catching back upgrade in an Andy Reid/Mahomes offense, giving him a narrow specialist path if he beats out rookie Emmett Johnson and Brashard Smith.