Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor Jr. or Emari Demercado
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 |
Patrick Taylor Jr. News
Wednesday, March 11, 11:08 AM
The San Francisco 49ers agreed to an undisclosed contract extension with running back Patrick Taylor Jr. (shoulder) on Wednesday, according to Equity Sports. A shoulder injury suffered in the preseason last year caused Taylor to miss the entire 2025 campaign, but he'll be back in the Bay Area as RB depth in 2026 behind Christian McCaffrey, Jordan James, and Isaac Guerendo. There have been talks that the Niners are interested in bringing back Brian Robinson Jr., who was the direct backup to McCaffrey last year in the backfield. The 27-year-old Taylor went undrafted out of Memphis before latching on with the Green Bay Packers in 2021. He had his most productive season in the NFL in 2024 in his first year with the 49ers, rushing the ball a career-high 39 times for 183 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown in 13 games played (one start). Barring injuries in front of him, Taylor won't be on the fantasy radar.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 | 29.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 4.0 | 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.
Patrick Taylor Jr. vs. Emari Demercado
Still trying to decide between Taylor Jr. and Demercado? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Patrick Taylor Jr. is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Emari Demercado is projected to score 5.7 points.
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