A Former Arizona Cardinal Is Poised to Make a Big Impact for the 2026 Chiefs
Former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado averaged 6.5 yards per carry during his three-year stint in the Grand Canyon State playing behind bell cow James Conner. Going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Demercado made the most of his opportunities when toting the ball for the Cardinals. The TCU alum, who runs a 4.4, proved to be a potent weapon on the field in both running and catching the ball. Signed to a one-year deal to play at Arrowhead, Demercado provides the reigning Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III, with a dependable and explosive runner and pass catcher off the bench, making his workload a little lighter.
The TCU alum is the kind of player who can thrive in an Andy Reid offense. While he ran for 819 yards on just 126 carries through three seasons for the Cards, he also had 50 receptions for 324 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per catch. That’s good production for the limited opportunities he had and could be a litmus test for even more of his game being unlocked under Reid, who historically loves scheming up plays for running backs to catch out of the backfield. When Big Red was in Philadelphia, Brian Westbrook became the most lethal dual threat in that franchise’s history, with 9,785 total yards from scrimmage. Along with LeSean McCoy and Kansas City icon Jamaal Charles, Reid has a storied history of coaching dynamic dual-threat running backs.
At five-feet-nine inches tall, 215lbs, Demercado is a strong, stocky runner who can run through contact and break tackles. He has good vision and bursts through creases into the open field at a good clip. On 15.9% of his carries through his three years in Arizona, the dual-threat back had 20 runs of double-digit yardage. Along with his explosiveness with the ball in his hands, he’s also an asset without it, with a highly regarded ability to pass protect. Known for a high football IQ, his instinct for blocking and picking up blitzes will be critical in keeping Patrick Mahomes on his feet. The versatile offensive weapon will likely be Kansas City’s second running back behind Walker, coming in on third downs. Though Emmett Johnson, selected 161st overall in the 2026 draft, has turned heads in mini-camp, Reid will more than likely have him sit behind Walker and Demercado. It’s a good story: an undrafted free agent who shone in Arizona, catching the eye of the Chiefs, may continue his rise against the odds and be a contributing factor to another postseason run.
