The Dallas Cowboys adding a running back wasn’t a surprise and Emari Demercado will fit in nicely to the backfield with Javonte Williams and Malik Davis.
Dallas was able to add him after the Kansas City Chiefs waived him during final cuts. This addition was a need after the Cowboys were going into the regular season with two true running backs and a full back.
What I like about the trade isn’t Emari Demercado’s numbers, but the connection he has on the team with offensive coordinator Klayton Adams.
Klayton Adams Knows Emari Demercado’s Running Style
Emari Demercado spent his first two NFL seasons in Arizona while Klayton Adams was coaching the offensive line there. I know Adams wasn’t his position coach, but when a running back is running behind your offensive line, you learn a few things.
While running behind that offensive line in Arizona, Demercado averaged 7.1 yards per carry, on about three carries per game, and 1.35 first downs per game in 2024 and 2025. Emari Demercado never had a big workload, but when he got the ball he made things happen.
For his career, he has 819 rushing yards on 126 carries for 6.5 yards per carry. I like that he can also catch the ball and for his career he has 50 receptions for 324 yards.
I’m not saying Emari Demercado is going to turn into an All-Pro running back, but as a third running back who can do everything, he fits what the Cowboys needed.
Javonte Williams Isn’t Losing His Job
I want everyone to know that by signing Emari Demercado, the Cowboys aren’t trying to replace Javonte Williams.
Williams ran for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He is in the sole position of the starting running back. Emari Demercado isn’t coming to Dallas to take 15 to 20 carries. He’s here to give him a break.
I can’t even say that Emari Demercado will challenge Malik Davis, but the odds are much better for that to happen than taking anything from Williams.
At this point, I see Malik Davis as a solid backup running back because Demercado gives them another option. I don’t see any reason to force-feed Emari Demercado touches. Give him eight one week and maybe the next week he gets three.
If one of those turns into a 30-yard gain, who really cares about how many touches he gets?
The Klayton Adams Connection is Where this Makes Sense
When you are going into planning for your first regular season game, familiarity is a major bonus when bringing a free agent into the facility.
I like that Adams is getting a running back he doesn’t have to completely figure out. He has watched Emari Demercado operate in a rushing attack he helped develop. I would think he knows which concepts fit him and which ones don’t.
Overall, I love this signing and didn’t expect Emari Demercado to be a free agent, but Dallas needed another running back and this one may be a home run signing from a strategy standpoint.
Finding a running back with a career 6.5 yards per carry average who has a history with the offensive coordinator doesn’t come around to often.
For an end of August waiver claim, there’s a ton to work with here.
Was this helpful?
1 Comment