2025 offseason roster profile: RB Emari Demercado
The Arizona Cardinals are in offseason mode and we are still weeks away from free agency and months from the NFL draft. Over the next little while, we will take a look at each player on the roster or signed to a reserve deal and break down where they stand with the team.
We will look at their 2024 season, their contract status and what their status is for the coming offseason and 2025 season.
Next up is running back Emari Demercado.
2024 Emari Demercado stats, season
Demercado, who made the roster as an undrafted rookie in 2023 and carved out a role as the team's third-down back, maintained that role in 2024. He really was unchallenged for that role.
He played in 13 games, rushing for 223 yards and a touchdown on only 24 carries, averaging 9.3 yards per attempt. His 53-yard touchdown run at the end of the first half in the Cardinals' 29-9 win over the Chicago Bears was electric.
He also had 16 receptions for 104 yards.
He finished the season on injured reserve after a back injury he played through for became too much for him.
2025 contract status
Demercado enters the final year of his three-year deal. He will make $1.03 million in salary and count $1.035 million against the cap. Next offseason, he will be a restricted free agent.
Outlook for 2025
Demercado will have to come back from his back injury and, assuming he fully recovers, will enter the offseason as the favorite to be their third-down back again. However, his spot on the roster is not secure. They could 100% sign or draft a player who could beat him out.
Competition will be added, but he will have a leg up. He is a player the coaches like a lot both in his role on third down and on special teams, in addition to his ability to do more on offense when given the opportunity.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
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