Emari Demercado to Dallas: Does Klayton Adams Have a Role Waiting for Him?

The Cowboys did something interesting after final cuts: instead of keeping one of their in-house candidates for the No. 3 running back job, they claimed Emari Demercado off waivers.

That is not enough to make Demercado an immediate fantasy draft target.

It is enough to make him worth understanding.

Dallas entered the post-cut period with Javonte Williams and Malik Davis at the top of the backfield. The Cowboys then claimed a runner who has averaged 6.5 yards per carry across three NFL seasons and who already has familiarity with offensive coordinator Klayton Adams from Arizona.

For deep fantasy leagues, that is the type of move that deserves attention before the season begins.

The Cowboys Chose Demercado

The roster mechanics matter.

Dallas did not simply add Demercado as a fourth or fifth running back. The Cowboys released the players who had been competing for the RB3 job and then used a waiver claim on Demercado.

That immediately places him in a more interesting position than a typical late-August signing.

Javonte Williams remains the clear favorite to lead the backfield. Malik Davis is also ahead of Demercado after spending the offseason in Dallas.

But the organization specifically chose to bring in Demercado when it could have simply kept one of the backs already familiar with the system.

That does not guarantee touches. It does suggest Dallas sees a useful skill set.

Demercado Has Been Extremely Efficient

Demercado's career workload has been small, but the efficiency is difficult to ignore.

Across three seasons in Arizona, he totaled 126 carries for 819 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

That is 6.5 yards per carry.

His 2025 season was particularly explosive: 44 carries for 312 yards, a 7.1-yard average.

He has also contributed as a receiver throughout his career, catching 50 passes for 324 yards on 70 targets.

This is not a player who has proven he can carry an NFL offense for 200 touches. His career high in carries is only 58.

But fantasy football does not require every bench running back to have already proven workhorse capability.

Sometimes we are looking for a player who could become useful if the depth chart shifts.

Demercado has at least shown he can create explosive production on limited opportunities.

The Klayton Adams Connection

The coaching connection is one reason Dallas is an especially interesting landing spot.

Klayton Adams is entering his second season as the Cowboys' offensive coordinator after previously serving as Arizona's offensive line coach during Demercado's first two NFL seasons.

Adams is known for his run-game background, and Dallas' offense made real progress on the ground in 2025. The Cowboys averaged 4.59 yards per carry and produced a 1,000-yard rusher while finishing second in the NFL in total offense.

Adams was not Demercado's running backs coach in Arizona, so we should not exaggerate the reunion.

But he was directly involved with the run-game infrastructure Demercado played behind.

Dallas is therefore adding a player whose style and capabilities are not completely unknown to the offensive coordinator.

That is more meaningful than a random waiver-wire addition with no connection to the scheme.

Javonte Williams Is Still the Back to Draft

None of this should move fantasy managers away from Javonte Williams.

Williams enters the season as the Dallas running back I want first. He has the strongest path to early-down work, scoring opportunities and overall volume.

Demercado is not walking into Dallas and immediately taking that job.

The more interesting question is what happens behind Williams.

Malik Davis has the head start because he spent the offseason in the offense. Demercado now has to learn terminology, protections and assignments before Dallas can trust him with a substantial role.

That could take time.

But RB depth charts can change quickly once the regular season begins.

One injury, one efficiency problem or one strong stretch from a reserve can completely reshape the hierarchy.

Demercado's Receiving Ability Gives Him Another Path

The easiest way for Demercado to become active in fantasy is not necessarily by taking 15 carries.

His receiving profile gives Dallas another option.

He has caught 71.4 percent of his career targets and produced 324 receiving yards on only 50 catches.

That could eventually give the Cowboys a change-of-pace option if they want a different skill set from Williams.

Again, Malik Davis could fill that role first.

But Demercado does not have to become a workhorse to earn fantasy relevance. A rotational role with explosive rushing efficiency and receiving opportunities would at least put him on the radar in deeper formats.

What I Want to See Early

Demercado's first two weeks will be less about box-score production and more about whether Dallas trusts him.

Watch for:

• Whether he is active on game day.
• Whether he plays on third downs.
• Whether Dallas gives him snaps before the game is decided.
• Whether he is used in the passing game.
• Whether he moves ahead of Malik Davis in the rotation.

The key signal is meaningful snaps.

If Demercado is active but only plays special teams or late in blowouts, he remains a watch-list player.

If he immediately enters the offensive rotation, the waiver claim becomes much more interesting.

My Fantasy Read

I am not drafting Emari Demercado in normal 10- or 12-team redraft leagues yet.

Javonte Williams is the clear Dallas back to prioritize, and Malik Davis has an important familiarity advantage entering Week 1.

But Demercado belongs on deep-league watch lists.

Dallas chose him after final cuts, his career 6.5 yards per carry shows legitimate explosiveness, he can catch the football, and he reunites with an offensive coordinator familiar with his work in Arizona.

If his role grows during September, he could become one of those backs fantasy managers wish they had identified a week early rather than a week late.