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Michael Carter or Emari Demercado: Who takes over the Cardinals backfield? (Week 5, 2025 season)

Updated: Oct 7

Start/Sit Decisions

NOTE: This content is for a previous week of fantasy football. But don't fear!


James Conner and Trey Benson are now both on IR, freeing up 20(ish) touches per game that need to find new homes over the next month.


By all counts, Emari Demercado and Michael Carter figure to form a two-man committee with upside for one of them to run away with the "hot hand."




The case for Emari Demercado


Demercado — a former undrafted free agent from TCU — entered this season averaging 1.08 PPR points per touch across 27 career games.


In 5 career games where Demercado handled at least 9 touches (max of 21), he's averaged 11.3 PPR points on 13.4 touches per game, including 3.6 catches on 4.8 targets per game. He landed between 11-13 PPR points in 4 of those 5 games, mixing in a low of 8.9 points, strangely during the game where he saw a career high 21 touches.


I view Emari Demercado as a risky-but-intriguing RB3/flex. Expect ~10–14 PPR points on ~12–16 touches (3–5 catches) for ~65–90 total yards; positive script and Arizona’s RB-friendly matchup create a clear path if he edges Carter for the “hot hand.” Floor: ~5–7 PPR points if the committee tilts to Carter, he’s capped at ~8–10 touches, and he doesn’t score. Ceiling: ~18–22 PPR points if he wins the workload (18–20 touches), adds 4–6 receptions for ~30–45 receiving yards, and converts a touchdown.




The case for Michael Carter


Carter — the Jets' 4th round pick from North Carolina in 2021 — entered this season averaging 0.87 PPR points per touch across 48 career games.


In 23 career games where Carter handled 9-21 touches, he's averaged 10.5 PPR points on 13.4 touches per game, including 2.7 catches on 3.6 targets per game. He scored 10+ PPR points in 52% of those games, including 15+ PPR points in 26%.


I view Michael Carter as a risky RB3/flex with a viable volume path in a plus game script. Expect Michael Carter ~9–13 PPR points on ~12–16 touches (3–5 catches) for ~60–85 total yards; role is committee-dependent, but the matchup is friendly.


Floor: ~4–6 PPR points if the split tilts to Demercado, he’s capped near ~8–10 touches, and he doesn’t score.


Ceiling: ~16–20 PPR points if he pushes ~16–18 touches, secures 4–6 catches for ~30–45 receiving yards, and converts a touchdown.




So is it Michael Carter or Emari Demercado?


Both Demercado and Carter can be considered high risk, high reward RB 3/flex options with uncertain playing time but a mouthwatering matchup and terrific game script. Trey Benson would have feasted in this one (sad face). Technically speaking, Michael Carter has been "named the starter" but I expect this to be a relatively even split. Perhaps Michael Carter gets the early-down work, making him the better pickup in standard leagues, and Emari Demercado gets the passing-down work, making him possibly more appealing in PPR leagues.


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