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Chiefs waive RB Emari Demercado

Emari Demercado

KC Running Back #25

Player Stats

Chiefs waived RB Emari Demercado.

Demercado’s departure leaves rookie RB Emmett Johnson and second-year RB Brashard Smith to back up starting RB Kenneth Walker. The Chiefs also waived DE Vincent Anthony, LB Kam Arnold, WR Andrew Armstrong, WR Wesley Bissainthe, DT Cole Brevard, WR Jason Brownlee, WR Jacob De Jesus, OT Ethan Driskell, WR Omari Evans, OT Chukwuebuka Godrick, LB Cam Jones, WR Xavier Loyd, S Tanner McCalister, DT Amari McNeill, C Pete Nygra, RB Jaydn Ott, DT Damon Payne, CB D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, TE Mason Pline, S DeShon Singleton, CB Melvin Smith, EDGE Tyreke Smith, OG Josh Thompson, CB Zelmar Vedder, TE Tre Watson and WR Jeff Weimer. The Chiefs released LB Cole Christiansen, CB Kaiir Elam, CB Kader Kohou and EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah. The Chiefs placed DT Omarr Norman-Lott (knee) on the reserve/physically unable to play list and WR Jimmy Holiday on injured reserve. The Chiefs also waived OG C.J. Hanson, QB Chris Oladokun and RB EJ Smith with injury designations.

Transaction

Source: Kansas City Chiefs

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Super Bowl Predictions for 2026 NFL Season

Mike Florio and Chris Simms reveal their Super Bowl predictions for the 2026 NFL season, answering if the Los Angeles Rams will take it home as favorites.

Up Next

Super Bowl Predictions for 2026 NFL Season

AFC Predictions for 2026 NFL Season

NFC Predictions for 2026 NFL Season

Patriots need better offensive line play for Maye

LSU adds two players to fill remaining spots

Donald missing Rams’ Week 1 game a ‘surprise’

49ers injury updates with Bosa, Kittle returning

Quiet optimism Mahomes returns to elite level

Mayfield gets a new deal with Buccaneers

Patriots should unleash new WRs Brown, Doubs

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Emari Demercado

DAL Running Back #25

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Cowboys claimed RB Emari Demercado off waivers from the Chiefs.

Demercado enters a wide open backfield depth chart behind starter Javonte Williams and primary backup Malik Davis, the two of whom were the only running backs to survive 53-man roster cuts Sunday. It does not appear the Cowboys are finished adding to their backfield, with most teams keeping four running backs on the active roster throughout the season. More to come.
Emmett Johnson

KC Running Back #10

Emmet Johnson rushed seven times for 39 yards in the Chiefs’ preseason game against the Seahawks.

Johnson added two catches for 15 yards and had another chunk gain through the air called back because of a penalty. Kenneth Walker didn’t play in this contest, allowing Johnson to draw the start with some of KC’s first-team offense on the field. Johnson split reps with Emari Demercado over the team’s first three drives, then left the game for good. He looks like the team’s No. 2 back, though all three backs have been the next man up behind Walker at some point during the preseason. Johnson isn’t guaranteed the backup job, but he’s now the favorite, putting him in the mix as a late-round flyer in deeper fantasy leagues.
Emmett Johnson

KC Running Back #10

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Emmett Johnson was “one of the positives coming out of” their first preseason game.

Johnson had 12 carries for 59 yards and three catches for 10 yards against the Rams. While we’ve seen a little camp buzz about Johnson, The Athletic’s Jesse Newell presents this as a step forward for Johnson who “has been running with the fourth-string offense most of training camp.” He’s still probably the best back to have rostered in the event of a Kenneth Walker injury, but this isn’t such an important role that the backup necessarily needs to be rostered in standard redraft leagues.
Emmett Johnson

KC Running Back #10

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports that Chiefs RB Emmett Johnson “is swiftly earning a role as an explosive, decisive runner.”

Breer refers to RB Kenneth Walker as an “every-down” player, says RB Brashard Smith “has already shown he can be a weapon in space,” and notes RB Emari Demercado adds depth. Perhaps taking on a change-of-pace rushing role is in play for Johnson this season. The rookie back has pass-catching experience as well, but Smith and Demercado could offer more in that department at the moment. Johnson could be the next player up if Walker were to miss time.
Emmett Johnson

KC Running Back #10

ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Emmett Johnson “has a shot” to be Kansas City’s No. 2 back.

The currently-murky situation behind Kenneth Walker includes the rookie Johnson, veteran receiving back Emari Demercado, and Player Who Is Nominally A Running Back Brashard Smith. The fifth-round pick sure seems like the best play here over the long-term, but if Johnson can win the No. 2 role out of camp, he’d hold some stash fantasy value behind Walker.
Emari Demercado

KC Running Back #25

A to Z Sports’ Charles Goldman believes Emari Demercado “is closer to RB2 in Kansas City than any other prospect.”

Goldman added that the team is “very high” on Demercado before noting his spot as the No. 2 back in every drill of note during OTAs. The Chiefs signed Demercado to a one-year deal this offseason to back up Kenneth Walker. They also added Emmet Johnson in the fifth round of the draft, but it sounds like the veteran has the inside track to backup duties right now. Demercado could also operate as the team’s primary back on passing downs, giving him some extra juice in PPR formats.
Brashard Smith

KC Running Back #24

The Athletic’s Jesse Newell believes there’s a chance that the Chiefs could “move on” from Brashard Smith.

Obviously Smith’s fantasy value took a huge hit with the addition of Kenneth Walker. But they also added Emari Demercado and moved up in the fifth round to draft Emmitt Johnson. Per Newell, “It all means Smith faces an important training camp. He’s a seventh-round pick, so the team doesn’t have a great amount invested in him if it does choose to move on.” Smith barely got a chance to run the ball last year, which was damning on its own considering how poor the running back room was, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he was a non-factor this year. He’s not a must-hold in dynasty formats.
Emmett Johnson

KC Running Back

Chiefs signed rookie RB Emmett Johnson to a four-year contract.

Chiefs front office officials said last week that they were shocked Johnson was still available in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. KC traded up to take Johnson, 22, who had 1,823 total yards in 2025 at Nebraska. Johnson enters the NFL with a 100th percentile college dominator rating along with a 99th percentile college target share. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently said he was impressed with Johnson’s pass catching and compared him favorably to LeSean McCoy. With a solid offseason Johnson could function as the Chiefs’ lead back if Ken Walker misses time in 2026.
Kenneth Walker

KC Running Back #9

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said the Chiefs plan to establish the run and rely on the defense early in the year.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is currently rehabbing a season-ending knee injury, and although he has a chance to return in time for Week 1, it takes time for players to return to full strength. Enter new Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker, who Veach reminds us was the Super Bowl LX MVP. He adds that the team feels “real good” about the offensive line. Veach also indicates that the team intends to pass the ball more often as the season progresses, but if the run game is working, who’s to say they take the proverbial foot off the pedal? Walker warrants low-end RB1 treatment at this time. He is backed up by veteran RBs Brashard Smith and Emari Demercado, and fifth-round rookie RB Emmett Johnson. The depth chart order behind Walker will become clear in training camp.
Emmett Johnson

KC Running Back

Chiefs vice president of player personnel Ryne Nutt said the team was “shocked” RB Emmett Johnson was available in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Kansas City traded up to take Johnson with the 161st overall pick in the draft, adding the Nebraska product to a revamped backfield alongside free agency splash signing Ken Walker III and Emari Demercado. “He’s a juke button, he has very good feet, vision, feel, and he’s very good out of the backfield,” Nutt said of Johnson, 22, who had a 100th percentile college dominator rating at Nebraska along with a 99th percentile college target share. Arrowhead Pride’s Ron Kop, Jr. said the rookie is “projected to be the immediate backup to Walker in the lead-back role, but don’t be surprised if Johnson earns his way onto the field on pass downs or in other situations.” Johnson, who had 1,823 total yards in 2025, is a good candidate to catch major redraft stream this summer.

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Tyler Smith

DAL Guard #73
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Cowboys placed LG Tyler Smith (thumb) on injured reserve.

After undergoing surgery on his injured thumb, Smith will miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season. An All-Pro left guard, Smith started all 16 games he appeared in last season and proved to be a critical part of the Dallas offensive line. Fourth-year guard T.J. Bass is expected to start for the Cowboys while Smith recovers.
- Denny Carter

Injury

Source: Adam Schefter

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Emeka Egbuka

TB Wide Receiver #2
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The Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud reports Emeka Egbuka (toe) “appears to be fine.”

Egbuka was seen practicing Wednesday ahead of the Bucs’ season opener against the Bengals and Stroud said there were no signs of injury for the second-year receiver, who has battled a toe injury in recent weeks. Barring any sort of setback, Egbuka should be in all fantasy lineups this week against the Bengals in what could be a high-scoring back-and-forth affair with Joe Burrow and company.
- Denny Carter

Source: Rick Stroud

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Mason Taylor

NYJ Tight End #85
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Jets listed Mason Taylor as the team’s TE1 on the Week 1 depth chart.

Taylor reportedly functioned as the Jets’ top tight end throughout training camp with Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) sidelined. Taylor, whose blocking ability recently drew praise from head coach Aaron Glenn, worked with Geno Smith two or three times a week in the offseason, developing chemistry with the veteran journeyman. Last year Taylor saw a target on 20 percent of his routes and logged a lowly 1.11 yards per route run in the low-octane New York offense. He’ll be a sneaky deep league option in Week 1 against the Titans.
- Denny Carter

Source: Brian Costello
Kenyon Sadiq
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J.K. Dobbins

DEN Running Back #27
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Broncos listed J.K. Dobbins as the team’s RB1 on the team’s Week 1 depth chart.

Dobbins will once again start the season as Denver’s presumed lead back, though he’s unlikely to see much pass-game involvement. That should belong (for now) to RJ Harvey, who’s listed as the team’s RB2. Harvey last year was targeted on a strong 27 percent of his pass routes and ended the season with 47 receptions for 365 yards and six receiving scores. Rookie RB Jonah Coleman will start the year as the Broncos’ RB3. He profiles as a sneaky stash option in 12 and 14-team formats.
- Denny Carter

Source: Parker Gabriel
RJ Harvey

Jonah Coleman
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Marvin Mims

DEN Wide Receiver #19
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Broncos listed Marvin Mims, Jr. as a starting receiver for Week 1.

Mims gets a starting slot alongside Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle for the Broncos’ season opener against Kansas City. It’s quite the stunner after Pat Bryant — listed as a second-team wideout — drew consistent praise from Denver coaches this offseason both as an intermediate and downfield pass catcher. Mims, who has bene used primarily as a gadget guy, was targeted on 20 percent of his routes last season and ended the year with 322 yards over 15 games. Bryant’s usage will be something to monitor in Week 1.
- Denny Carter

Source: Parker Gabriel
Pat Bryant
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LeQuint Allen

JAC Running Back #5
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Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said RB LeQuint Allen (undisclosed) is a game-time decision for Week 1 against the Browns.

It’s not that fantasy managers were eager to start Allen this week, but his absence would open up more routes and potential targets for Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez, who are listed as co-starters on Jacksonville’s Week 1 depth chart. Both C-Rod and Tuten would be slightly better options if Allen is sidelined this weekend.
- Denny Carter

Source: Ryan O’Halloran
Bhayshul Tuten

Chris Rodriguez Jr.
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Deshaun Watson

CLE Quarterback #4
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Browns head coach Todd Monken said he’s confident in Deshaun Watson’s downfield passing ability.

Monken has stressed explosive plays as an important part of the Cleveland offense headed into the 2026 regular season. “Obviously having explosive players helps that,” Monken said. “Being able to scheme it up against certain looks and then being able to execute because your protection has to hold up when you get those opportunities. I’m confident in Deshaun and our ability to push the ball down the field, otherwise we wouldn’t be starting him.” That confidence might be misplaced considering Watson completed just 1-of-6 attempts for 20 yards and an interception on downfield passes in the preseason and was among the league’s worst deep ball passers in 2024, when he threw downfield on a career-low 27 percent of his attempts. Once an elite deep ball thrower, Watson will look to regain form coming off two torn Achilles, entering his age-30 season. Perhaps rookie WR Denzel Boston will be a boon for Watson’s downfield game in 2026.
- Denny Carter

Source: ESPN.com
Shedeur Sanders

Denzel Boston
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Alfred Collins

SF Defensive Tackle #95
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49ers DT Alfred Collins suffered a torn patellar tendon and is out for the 2026 season.

Collins tore his patellar tendon during the 49ers’ first Australia practice last night. It’s an unfortunate break for the 2025 second-round pick, set to start Week 1 for the 49ers defensive line against the Rams. Collins’ biggest play last season was forcing a goal-line Kyren Williams fumble in Week 5. He will instead need knee surgery and begin a journey back from injury for 2027. The 49ers will reach into their defensive tackle depth and may activate Kevin Givens or Sebastian Valdez from the practice squad for Week 1 in Australia against the Rams.
- Aditya Fuldeore

Injury

Source: Matt Barrows

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Joey Porter

PIT Cornerback #24
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NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports the Steelers made a contract extension offer to CB Joey Porter Jr.

According to Garafolo, the Steelers made an offer to Porter but it is “not good enough” for a contract extension to be imminent. This seems to be the first offer Pittsburgh has made to the 26-year-old, so there are at least negotiations happening. With both Devon Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez getting top-of-market deals done, all eyes are on Porter as last among the big cornerback extensions to get done. Garafolo adds the Steelers will not negotiate into the season past Week 1, so both sides have a few days to get a deal done before talks are tabled until the end of the season.
- Aditya Fuldeore

Source: Mike Garafolo

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Myles Garrett

LA Defensive End #95
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Rams EDGE Myles Garrett (knee) did not participate in Tuesday’s practice.

Garrett was a non-participant in practice Tuesday, but it looks to be a load management day with other Rams players listed as DNP due to rest and head coach Sean McVay saying Tuesday he expects Garrett to play Week 1. Though the team will be without Aaron Donald for opening day, the Rams are still expecting to have Garrett good to go against the 49ers.
- Aditya Fuldeore

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