The Kansas City Chiefs made another running back addition on the evening of March 12, as NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the latest free agency news.
“Sources: The Chiefs are signing former [Arizona] Cardinals RB Emari Demercado to a 1-year deal,” Schultz relayed on X.
He added that “Demercado had over 1,100 total yards and 4 TDs in Arizona, and now joins Kenneth Walker in Kansas City’s backfield.”
That’s what the Chiefs are getting in Demercado — total yardage, meaning dual-threat ability.
The former Cardinals running back has accumulated over 100 receiving yards in each of his three NFL campaigns despite limited usage. He’s also been pretty impressive as a change-of-pace running back when called upon, with yards per carry averages of 9.3 and 7.1 in 2024 and 2025.
Chiefs RB Signing Emari Demercado Is a Home Run Threat
GettyThe Kansas City Chiefs added former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado.
Outside of his ability as a receiving back, Demercado’s most enticing trait is his home-run potential as a runner.
Part of the reason for Demercado’s high yards-per-carry clips is his breakout runs. And that’s something KC has been searching for in recent seasons: explosiveness.
Demercado’s longest carries in each of the past three years are 49 yards or greater.
- 2023: 49-yard long.
- 2024: 53-yard long.
- 2025: 71-yard long.
If you think about it, these traits make him the perfect type of RB to pair with Walker.
Walker is an early-down runner who wears down the defense with his physicality and vision. However, the reigning Super Bowl MVP is not the best receiver, nor is he a speed demon.
On the flip side, Demercado is a smaller back who cannot handle a full workload. He’s best utilized for a quick-hitter run or a passing opportunity.
Teaming Walker with Demercado and second-year RB Brashard Smith should arm Kansas City with a much more versatile backfield.
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