Who Should I Start? James Conner or Emari Demercado
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 | 10.9 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 6.5 | 0.0 |
James Conner News
Sunday, June 28, 11:09 AM
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot/ankle) is still working his way back from the gruesome foot/ankle injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 3. While Conner should be available to play in 2026, the landscape around him in Arizona has shifted dramatically. The Cardinals overhauled their coaching staff, signed running back Tyler Allgeier in free agency, and then used the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on running back Jeremiyah Love. Entering 2026, Conner likely profiles as the Cardinals' RB3. However, the 31-year-old remained a highly productive player in his last full season in 2024, recording 1,508 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 283 touches across 16 games. If Conner proves he's healthy over the summer, he may end up being moved to a running back-needy team before the start of the regular season. Given that his average draft position has plummeted to RB67 in redraft leagues, Conner could be worth taking a flier on in the late rounds of drafts.
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
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.
James Conner vs. Emari Demercado
Still trying to decide between Conner and Demercado? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that James Conner is projected to score 3.4 points this week while Emari Demercado is projected to score 3.6 points.
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