Who Should I Start? Emari Demercado or LeQuint Allen Jr.


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

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

LeQuint Allen Jr. News

LeQuint Allen Jr. Looks Primed for a Pass-Catching Role

Monday, June 15, 9:27 AM

John Shipley of Sports Illustrated writes that Jacksonville Jaguars second-year running back LeQuint Allen Jr. looks to be primed for a role on passing downs in 2026. It has been hard to really gauge Jacksonville's new-look backfield this offseason since new RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (foot) has missed time due to an injury. One thing is clear, though: Bhayshul Tuten looks much-improved, and he appears to be the favorite to lead the Jags in touches now that Travis Etienne Jr. is with the New Orleans Saints. Allen, 21, was selected with the 236th overall pick in 2025 in the seventh round out of the University of Syracuse. In his rookie campaign, he carried the ball only 23 times for 94 yards and caught 10 of his 11 targets for 54 yards in 17 regular-season games (one start). While Allen should have an expanded pass-catching role in 2026, he'll only be worth rostering in really deep PPR formats unless one of Tuten or Rodriguez misses time with an injury during the regular season. RotoBaller currently has Allen ranked as the No. 80 fantasy RB in redraft leagues.


Emari Demercado vs. LeQuint Allen Jr.

Still trying to decide between Demercado and Allen Jr.? 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 LeQuint Allen Jr. is projected to score 0.0 points.