Who Should I Start? Emari Demercado or Jarquez Hunter

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.

Saturday, August 30, 12:59 PM

Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter is likely to open the season behind both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in the team's backfield pecking order. Given how heavily Los Angeles has utilized Williams over the past two seasons, Hunter's RB3 status could mean that he is unlikely to see the field much as a rookie. A fourth-round pick out of Auburn, Hunter led the SEC by averaging 6.4 yards per rush attempt in his final collegiate season. The 22-year-old brings an explosive speed element to the Rams' backfield that Williams and Corum do not. However, Williams and Corum are dependable three-down backs who can make plays inside the tackles, which is a skill set that Rams head coach Sean McVay has typically favored. An injury could change things, but for now, Hunter should be off the radar of fantasy managers in 2025.