The Kansas City Chiefs completely revamped their running back room this offseason. That revamp was much needed after underachieving at the position for the past several seasons. The biggest signing of the Chiefs' entire offseason was reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, who gives the Chiefs a true superstar at the position. KC didn't stop there, though; they also spent a fifth-round draft pick on Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson. However, there is a third addition at the position that many fans are still overlooking.
Shortly after the big splash signing of Kenneth Walker, the Chiefs made a much less publicized signing of former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado. It was just a small one-year deal for about $1.24 million. It was praised as a good depth signing at the time, but after the addition of Emmett Johnson in the draft, many fans are writing off Demercado as just a guy fighting for a roster spot as opposed to someone who could be a regular part of KC's offense.
It's understandable that Demercado doesn't have a lot of buzz. He was an undrafted player out of TCU who earned a roster spot in Arizona but was never a feature back. Over three seasons in Arizona, he averaged just 42 carries, 273 rushing yards, and one touchdown per season. You mix in a small one-year contract that barely pays him more than Emmett Johnson will make in the first year of his rookie contract, and it's easy to lump him in the same boat as former signings that never went anywhere, like Dameon Pierce and Elijah Mitchell.
Why Emari Demercado is destined for playing time this season for the Chiefs
While that is all true, there is one major thing that Emari Demercado has going for him that could lead to a pretty significant role in KC's offense this season. That one thing is his pass protection skills. Andy Reid is notorious for putting his passing game above all else. While he does need to lean on his offensive line and Kenneth Walker in the run game more this season, the passing game will still be the main focus of the offense, and Reid has shown that he'll frequently play the guy he trusts in pass protection over more talented runners.
Kenneth Walker is an explosive weapon, both running the ball and catching the ball out of the backfield, but he doesn't have a great reputation as a pass blocker. Over his first four seasons, his average Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade was 34 (out of 100). Demercado has averaged a 54.9 grade over his three seasons, including an impressive 74.7 grade in the season in which he got the most opportunities.
Kansas City's starting running back isn't known for his pass protection. Meanwhile, Demercado's only competition for clear passing-down reps is a second-year former seventh-round draft pick whom K.C. felt more comfortable splitting out as a wide receiver than keeping in to pass block as a rookie, and a fifth-round draft pick whose scouting reports consistently identified pass protection as an area that needs improvement. Given that competition, the odds of Demercado playing regularly on passing downs could actually be pretty high.
Then, when you add to that the fact that Patrick Mahomes is coming off a major knee injury and could be less mobile than prior to the injury, suddenly it isn't hard to see a situation where there will be plenty of passing plays throughout the season where Reid will want the running back that he trusts most in pass protection on the field. At this point, it certainly seems like Demercado is the odds-on favorite to be that back.
Kenneth Walker will certainly be the most exciting addition to the Chiefs' offense this season and should really revitalize KC's struggling running game. Emmett Johnson has the potential to be KC's next man up if Walker misses time and they need someone to shoulder a heavier load carrying the football, and he is also is a talented pass catcher. But Eric Bieniemy has work to do with him in pass protection before he'll likely be trusted in that area. So don't be surprised if, on opening day, it is Emari Demercado who is the clear No. 2 in running back snaps, even if that doesn't translate to a lot of offensive touches.
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