Who Should I Start? Emari Demercado or Isaac Guerendo

Monday, November 4, 8:51 AM

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado got involved in the Week 9 win over the Chicago Bears with an impressive 53-yard rushing touchdown right before halftime, giving the Cardinals a 21-9 lead. Demercado has impressed throughout the season in his limited playing time, which has frequently come on third downs. His final stat line was four carries for 59 yards and one rushing touchdown, along with two catches for 21 yards. It's unclear whether Demercado's role will increase, making him not an option for fantasy managers when the Cardinals play the Jets in Week 10.

Monday, October 28, 1:19 AM

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo took over for Jordan Mason (shoulder) and performed well in a 30-24 Week 8 home victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. After Mason left in the first half, Guerendo took almost all of the backfield carries, finishing with 14 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. The performance solidified Guerendo as a viable fantasy starter when given the chance. In two games this year with Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) and Mason out, Guerendo has taken 24 carries for 184 yards and a touchdown with minimal backfield competition from the fourth-string Patrick Taylor Jr. However, Guerendo's fantasy value as a handcuff is likely to crash on the other side of a Week 9 bye as both Mason and McCaffrey could return for a Week 10 trip to Tampa Bay. For as good as Guerendo has looked, San Francisco's rushing game has strictly supported one running back in fantasy dating back to 2023.