Who Should I Start? Emari Demercado or Dylan Sampson


Week 1 Projections

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TD
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0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Emari Demercado News

Chiefs Sign Emari Demercado to One-Year Deal

Thursday, March 12, 5:58 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs signed former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Demercado had over 1,100 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns (three rushing) in his three years with the team, and he'll now join Kenneth Walker III in KC's new-look backfield going into the 2026 season. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of TCU had a career-high 312 rushing yards on 44 carries in 13 games in Arizona in 2025, but he didn't find the end zone on the ground. Demercado added 13 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown in an expanded role after both James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) suffered season-ending injuries. He never held a big role in Arizona's backfield, but he was productive when he touched the ball, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt on 126 carries. Demercado should have more upside as a stash candidate in deeper fantasy leagues while competing for backup duties with Brashard Smith.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Dylan Sampson News

Dylan Sampson Carries Dynasty Upside Despite Current Place on Browns' Running Back Depth Chart

Friday, June 5, 8:30 AM

Across 15 games as a rookie in 2025, Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson recorded 446 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 98 touches. While fellow Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins (ankle) emerged as the team's clear lead rusher, Sampson established himself as a pass-catcher out of the backfield by hauling in 33 receptions for 271 yards and two scores on 40 targets. Cleveland did not make any notable additions to its running back room over the offseason and let veteran back Jerome Ford walk in free agency. As a result, Judkins and Sampson appear to be locked in as the Browns' top two rushers for 2026. As long as Judkins fully recovers from the ankle injury that ended his 2025 season and remains healthy in 2026, Sampson's production upside is limited. Still, Sampson carries dynasty handcuff appeal and could offer some standalone value in PPR-scoring formats if he continues to dominate passing-down work. Fantasy managers may want to consider attempting to buy low on Sampson ahead of his second NFL season.


Emari Demercado vs. Dylan Sampson

Still trying to decide between Demercado and Sampson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Emari Demercado is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Dylan Sampson is projected to score 0.0 points.