Who Should I Start? Dare Ogunbowale or Emari Demercado

Monday, August 25, 11:11 AM

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime projects Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale to be one of five backs who make the team's initial 53-man roster. Notably, Bien-Aime does not include Joe Mixon (foot), writing that Mixon "can land on the non-football injury list to start the regular season." Without Mixon, the path to playing time in the backfield in Houston appears to be wide open. Veteran Nick Chubb will likely get the first crack at early-down work, but Ogunbowale could have a role on passing downs. In 17 games with the Texans last year, Ogunbowale had just 30 rush attempts but was targeted 28 times, recording 19 catches for 198 yards and a touchdown.

Sunday, August 24, 8:26 AM

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado received the most carries out of a crowded backfield on Saturday, but couldn't turn it into much. As the Cardinals beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, Demercado posted 22 yards on seven carries and caught two of his three targets for eight yards. Bam Knight led the way with 83 yards and a touchdown on five carries, while Michael Carter posted 47 yards on five carries. Demercado's preseason left a lot to be desired, but the 26-year-old seems to still have the trust of the team as the third-string back for the time being.