Chiefs sign RB to pair with Kenneth Walker in latest NFL free agency news
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New Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III.
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
Chiefs sign Emari Demercado in NFL free agency news
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.