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Yahoo Fantasy Football fantasy football takes on Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Yahoo Fantasy Football about Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
31
Insights
11
Positive
15
Negative
Insight ledger
All Yahoo Fantasy Football insights about Jacory Croskey-Merritt
NegativeRoleSep 12, 2026
The Commanders' second-year back is trending towards becoming a touchdown-dependent option. With Rachaad White signing in Washington in the offseason, Croskey-Merritt will likely not be on the field during obvious passing situations, so there isn't a strong three-down role until proven otherwise. He also missed some practice time over the last few weeks with a lower-body issue, adding to the chance he splits more work than expected. The source recommends benching him in Week 1.NegativeRoleSep 12, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is trending toward becoming a touchdown-dependent option for fantasy managers. With Rachaad White signing in Washington in the offseason, Croskey-Merritt will likely not be on the field during obvious passing situations, so there isn't a strong three-down role until proven otherwise. Philadelphia finished last season as a respectable run defense with a healthy Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, posing a challenge for the Commanders' meager offensive line. Croskey-Merritt also missed some practice time over recent weeks with a lower-body issue, adding to the chance he splits more work than expected.NegativeMatchupSep 11, 2026
The matchup vs. Philadelphia is undeniably bearish. The Commanders' offensive line is in dire shape without star LT Laremy Tunsil, and they've had center issues in camp. Facing elite DT Jalen Carter and star DT Jordan Davis is a brutal spot to iron out the wrinkles. Game script is clearly against Croskey-Merritt with Washington projected to lose by 5.5 points; Rachaad White should mix in more when trailing. Croskey-Merritt had 2.9 half-PPR points on 13 carries (2.2 YPC) against the Eagles in Week 18 last year.NegativeRoleSep 11, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is listed as the starter, and the Commanders are hoping he ices Rachaad White, who is only on a one-year, $2 million contract. However, Croskey-Merritt is a little boom-bust as a runner and isn't guaranteed the goal-line work as the slightly smaller and unproven short-yardage rusher. There is some trap back concern with him, though it's helpful to share a backfield with an elite rushing QB like Jayden Daniels. There will be big runs sprinkled throughout the season. Croskey-Merritt projects for 40.5 total yards and 6.7 half-PPR points.NegativeMatchupSep 11, 2026
Justin Boone recommends benching Croskey-Merritt at Eagles; the Commanders' rushing attack was already in a tough spot before losing star tackle Laremy Tunsil, making this a poor Week 1 matchup.NegativeMatchupSep 11, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is a risky sit in Week 1 at the Eagles. This was already going to be a tough spot for the Commanders' rushing attack before they lost star tackle Laremy Tunsil. Leave him on your bench until you get a better matchup.NegativeBustSep 10, 2026
Finished as RB33 in PPR last season with limited upside most weeks; Rachaad White signing in offseason will eat into workload; Commanders dealing with offensive line injuries and overall offensive efficiency concerns; faces Philadelphia Eagles' top-rated defensive line per PFF in Week 1; fringe flex option to avoid.PositiveProjectionSep 8, 2026
Ranked as the thirty-ninth-best running back for Week 1 by Daniel Dobish of TheHuddle.com, facing the Philadelphia Eagles on the road.PositiveSleeperSep 1, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is still going off the board in the ninth round or later despite being an NFL starting running back. He was the RB10 in fppg during the fantasy playoffs, topping 95 yards on two occasions and scoring four touchdowns over that stretch. Beat writers have made clear he answered the challenge from coaches to step up in the passing game and will get the first shot at leading the Commanders backfield. The 25-year-old is a good fit in new offensive coordinator David Blough's zone-run scheme; among 65 qualified backs last year, he finished eighth in zone yards per carry and 13th in success rate on zone runs. The Commanders RBs have the sixth-easiest fantasy schedule. Justin Boone sees him as an explosive ball carrier capable of week-winning performances.NegativeRoleAug 28, 2026
Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is confirmed out for the Commanders-Ravens preseason finale, limiting his final opportunity to make an impression before roster cutdowns.PositiveValueAug 25, 2026
Jacory Croskey-Merritt ("Bill") has risen 11.0 spots in ADP and is currently going just outside the top-100 overall. Though dealing with a reportedly minor lower-body injury and expected to split work heavily with Rachaad White, the source believes he has a lot of upside and could be a viable RB2 or weekly FLEX play if the Washington offense over-performs expectations, which the source thinks is likely.PositiveBreakoutAug 19, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is viewed as a lottery ticket back in a Zero RB build with a chance to provide fantasy value in 2026. Given what was seen last season, he should be able to beat out Rachaad White and rookie Kaytron Allen. If nothing else, he'll get the early-down work while White rotates in on passing downs.PositiveBreakoutAug 19, 2026
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a post-hype season candidate going later in drafts this year than last, supported by strong outside zone metrics. Commanders starting tackle Josh Conerly noted the team plans to lean into outside and wide zone run concepts more often in 2026. Washington ranked best in the NFL in outside zone last year at 6.1 yards per carry, and Croskey-Merritt led the league in yards per carry on those concepts at 7.6 yards. While he must battle Rachaad White for touches, White is not an efficient runner and would likely cede duties to Croskey-Merritt in scoring positions. The second-year back has also drawn positive reviews for his pass-catching ability from beat writers this offseason.PositiveValueAug 19, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is drafted in the ninth round by Ian Hartitz, reflecting confidence in his role with the Commanders.NegativeSleeperAug 18, 2026
The source identifies Croskey-Merritt as a top sleeper RB pick for 2026. A seventh-round pick in 2025, he was limited by a three-man committee after Brian Robinson Jr. was traded and Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending injury, but still finished as RB10 in fppg during the fantasy playoffs with 95+ yards on two occasions and four touchdowns over that stretch. He's now expected to enter the season No. 1 on the depth chart, sharing it with pass-catching specialist Rachaad White and sixth-round power back Kaytron Allen. The coaching staff emphasized he needs to improve in the passing game, and he's answered the call in that area. All three Commanders RBs are being taken outside the top-100 picks, making them risk-free draft targets. Croskey-Merritt is described as the most explosive option with the greatest potential to emerge as a difference-maker in Washington's backfield, and he'll face the sixth-easiest fantasy schedule among running backs.PositiveRoleAug 18, 2026
Croskey-Merritt has the best rushing upside in the Commanders' RB committee, which may play up to five running backs throughout the season. However, with offensive line concerns and star LT Laremy Tunsil injured, he will have to play very clean to get more than 60% of the touches.PositiveValueAug 14, 2026
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is grouped in the final tier of projectable running back value (Jaylen Warren to Jacory Croskey-Merritt range) by Hayden Winks in the Robust RB strategy, marking the last call for real projectable points before the position falls off a cliff after Round 8.NegativeBustAug 12, 2026
Pat ranks Croskey-Merritt RB48 as a fade despite his talent as a between-the-tackles runner. He has too much to overcome to provide reliable FLEX value: he's a two-down back in one of the league's most crowded backfields, faces an awful offensive line that just lost its left tackle, and plays in a non-elite offensive environment. Pat argues all of it conspires to keep a player who deserves better just outside the ring of relevance in fantasy football.NegativeProjectionAug 12, 2026
Jalen Nailor projects Jacory Croskey-Merritt as his starting RB in Round 9 in his full-PPR re-draft team.PositiveRoleAug 12, 2026
Classified as an upside RB3, suggesting potential for increased role and fantasy value.NegativeRoleAug 12, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is heavily affected by the Commanders' poor offensive line situation in 2026. After star LT Laremy Tunsil's injury knocked him out for at least most of the 2026 season, Washington is thin and not much improved compared to 2025 when they ranked bottom-10 in run blocking. Croskey-Merritt had next to zero passing-game work in 2025 and doesn't project for a huge receiving role in 2026, so his value relies entirely on the ground attack. The Tunsil injury is significant enough that losing one offensive lineman genuinely hurts Washington's projected touchdown drives.NegativeRoleAug 11, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is the presumed starter in Washington's backfield but has limited receiving experience, which gives Rachaad White a clear advantage in pass-catching opportunities and role definition.NegativeRoleAug 7, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is part of Tier 6's cheap touches group, characterized as a committee back with limited upside.NegativeProjectionAug 5, 2026
Croskey-Merritt is expected to underperform relative to his RB1 draft position; he lacks the reliability and pass-game skills of Rachaad White, and is a less trusted between-the-tackles runner in short yardage. White hits the hole with more decisiveness, and the Commanders' reliance on check-downs to Jayden Daniels favors White's skill set.PositiveValueAug 3, 2026
Justin Boone identifies Jacory Croskey-Merritt as part of the Commanders backfield being drafted after the first 100 picks. Boone plans to fire multiple deep shots at ambiguous backfields in hopes of landing a starting back at a massive discount, using the Javonte Williams lesson from 2025.NegativeDepth ChartAug 3, 2026
Croskey-Merritt has ADP of 119.7 in the Commanders backfield, which the source presents as a committee situation worth monitoring during training camp. The source notes that not every committee's hierarchy remains permanent and uses the Steelers' backfield from last year as an example of how situations can change.PositiveRoleJul 29, 2026
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is one of several running backs in the ninth round with a path to leading their backfield; he and Rachaad White will be battling it out in Washington.NegativeRoleJul 29, 2026
Croskey-Merritt simply landing in the NFL and carving out a role is significant as a seventh-round pick, but he's running uphill for fantasy value, challenged by pass-catching maestro Rachaad White and interesting rookie Kaytron Allen. Mobile QB Jayden Daniels is always going to get some of the rushing production. It's too early in his career to say he can never become a pass-receiving option, but White surely will see those reps before him in 2026. The source states: 'I won't use my draft capital on him.'NegativeRoleJul 28, 2026
Croskey-Merritt, a rookie seventh-rounder, forced the Commanders to trade Brian Robinson to the 49ers during training camp by carving out a role, and led the team in all major rushing categories with 175-805-8 in 2025. He ranked sixth in YCO/ATT (3.50) and 15th in missed tackles forced rate (19.4%) among 33 RBs with 150+ attempts. However, the source notes he 'never saw the volume to serve as a reliable fantasy asset,' with eight games of fewer than 10 rush attempts out of 17 appearances and a non-existent passing game role (never surpassing two targets in any game). The source reports ESPN's John Keim indicated the Commanders are 'likely' to enter 2026 with a running back by committee situation, meaning 'JCM shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a RB3/RB4 for the time being.' While there's belief he could see increased passing game work, he faces added competition from Rachaad White.NegativeRoleJul 28, 2026
Croskey-Merritt, a rookie seventh-rounder, forced the Commanders to trade Brian Robinson to the 49ers during training camp and led the team in rushing categories (175-805-8), ranking sixth in YCO/ATT (3.50) and 15th in missed tackles forced rate (19.4%) among 33 RBs with 150+ attempts. However, he never saw the volume to be a reliable fantasy asset, with eight games of fewer than 10 rush attempts in 17 appearances and a non-existent passing game role (never surpassing two targets in any game). ESPN's John Keim reported the Commanders are "likely" to enter the season with a running back by committee, meaning Croskey-Merritt should be viewed as no more than RB3/RB4.NegativeProjectionNo date
The source identifies Jacory Croskey-Merritt as one of 10 players whose fantasy football rankings are most likely to change over the next few weeks as training camps ramp up around the league. Justin Boone discusses where he currently has Croskey-Merritt ranked both positionally and overall, with potential for rising or falling based on camp storylines.