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


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.6 16.9 0.1 0.8 5.4 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
2.6 3.9 0.0 1.1 7.6 0.0

LeQuint Allen Jr. News

LeQuint Allen Jr. Continues to Make Noise in Jaguars Backfield

Thursday, July 30, 10:30 AM

Jacksonville Jaguars second-year running back LeQuint Allen Jr. has been a name to watch early in the team's training camp practices, and he had another explosive run on Thursday while stiff-arming a defender, according to Jaguars beat writer Travis Holmes. Keep in mind that Chris Rodriguez Jr. (foot) is being limited to individual drills early in camp after having foot surgery and missing the entire offseason program. Still, the 21-year-old Allen's work so far this summer is noteworthy as he works to be the team's primary pass-catching option on third downs in Year 2. After he was selected in the seventh round from Syracuse last year, Allen found little work behind Travis Etienne Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten, carrying the ball 23 times for 94 yards and zero touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (one start). He added 10 receptions for 54 yards. Allen is unlikely to do much as a pure runner as the RB3, but he could offer some deep-league PPR appeal in a larger role in an ascending Jaguars offense. Fantasy managers in standard-sized 12-team leagues can likely leave Allen to the waiver wire to begin the 2026 season.


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 3.6 points this week while LeQuint Allen Jr. is projected to score 2.6 points.