Croskey-Merritt takes control of Commanders backfield in win over Chargers
The Commanders finally gave Croskey-Merritt truthers what they’ve been waiting for against the Chargers…Opportunity! Bill took advantage of that opportunity by putting up 111 rushing and two scores.
After Ekeler went down for the year, the Commanders had been using an RB by committee approach the previous two games and splitting carries amongst three RBs. This week, however, it was the JCM show. Bill, when given the chance, has looked the part averaging 6.6 YPC and 4 TDs. He’s a clear Rb2 going forward with serious RB1 potential.
Buy now before the price is unattainable!
Author: Brett Jackson (@bjackson1189)
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory ...
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory ...
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory ...
The Commanders lose Austin Ekeler in what is shaping up to be a season ending injury in the form of a torn Achilles.
Austin Ekeler, a longtime friend to the fantasy football community is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles in the Commanders Monday Night Football loss to the Green Bay Packers. The injury comes at a time where the team is looking to make a leap to the Super Bowl.
While Ekeler was on the downside of his career, he was a serviceable factor in the receiving game for the Commanders backfield. After trading away Brian Robinson the split so far has been between Ekeler and rising rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The duo along with quarterback Jayden Daniels only managed 51 total rushing yards while all 3 had 17 rushing yards respectively against the Packers formidable defense in Week 2.
Expect speedster Chris Rodgriguez to be active Week 3 as he has been a healthy scratch the first 2 games of the season. Merritt (Bill), will likely get the bulk of carries and opportunity share moving forward. His 14.2 fantasy points got him the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award in Week 1. Rumors of a trade abound for a more talented and well known back, but that shouldn’t deter fantasy gamers from keeping Merritt on their redraft rosters to see how things play out in the Commanders backfield.
Author: Jeremiah Retzlaff (@coachretzlaff1)
Washington Commanders 7th round pick in running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is no longer a sleeper pick in fantasy.
Shortly after the news that the Washington Commanders were open to trading starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who prefers the name Bill, exploded for a 27 yard touchdown run on MNF, the last game of week 2 of the preseason. Croskey-Merritt flew under the radar in college because of him barely playing for 4 years at Alabama State, then transferred to New Mexico to carry the ball 189 times for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns and hauled in eight receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Merritt earned 2nd team all Mountain West honors and then transferred to Arizona. He only appeared in one game for the Wildcats due to some weird NCAA eligibility issue. Its confusing because he was in college for 6 years. He then declared for the draft. At the East-West Shrine Bowl, he earned offensive MVP. Croskey-Merritt posted impressive numbers for his size including a 95th percentile Burst Score, despite not being invited to the combine. All throughout training camp his name kept popping up and the hype was suddenly real when the Brian Robinson Jr. trade rumors surfaced. Safe to say he is no longer a secret on this offense.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is likely to shoot up the draft board after all of this. He is now the primary running back on an ascending offense with a young superstar quarterback in Jayden Daniels who is entering his 2nd year. The ceiling of this offense is through the roof. If you were lucky enough to snag Croskey-Merritt before this break through, count your blessings!
Author: Jesse Baldwin @J_Baldwin51
The Washington Commanders have traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers, freeing up potentially huge fantasy roles for Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
With Brian Robinson out of the way, late-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has become a very popular riser. The 24-year-old Arizona grad has impressed in camp and looked explosive in the preseason. He’s a candidate for early down work in what should be a highly productive offense. His supporters are hoping he turns into a workhorse and league winner.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., a sixth-round pick back in 2023, has also garnered high praise, specifically from Head Coach Dan Quinn, who suggested that he is the favorite to take over Robinson’s opportunities in short yardage and around the goal line. Austin Ekeler remains in the mix as well and will probably work in on third downs and in the passing games. Of course, QB Jayden Daniels will chew up yards and TDs on the ground as well.
All this is to say that while JCM has a chance to be a significant value in the later rounds, moving all of one’s chips into the center of the table to draft the rookie above ADP may be overzealous. Buy JCM even on this recent surge.
Due to uncertainty regarding snap share and an underwhelming college profile, drafters should not be reaching beyond the 8th or 9th round. Christian Rodriguez is there in the later rounds as well and both he and Ekeler will mix in and have solid weeks throughout the season.
–Blake Stachel (@bllakkay)
The Washington Commanders have been fielding offers for running back Brian Robinson Jr.
Brian Robinson Jr. is being shopped by the Washington Commanders as the regular season approaches. The Commanders did add rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round of the NFL Draft in April.
Robinson Jr. led Washington running backs with 799 yards last season, while quarterback Jayden Daniels led the team with 891. Austin Ekeler is past his prime but still an effective option in the backfield after averaging 4.8 yards per carry in 2024, Croskey-Merritt had to sit out almost all last season due to a jersey number incident but rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023.
Robinson Jr. becomes a mystery box now depending on where he lands, expect his ADP to fall due to uncertainty. Ekeler becomes more valuable and will likely see the most snaps early in the season. Croskey-Merritt had already become a fantasy darling and this will only reinforce the thought process that Washington wants him to be the lead back.
Author: David Leonard (@RealDelcoDave)
Despite receiving buzz at Commanders’ camp, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is listed as RB5 on the team’s initial depth chart.
Rookie UDFA Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been fighting for a roster spot with the Washington Commanders and has been causing fans and coaches to take notice of him during training camp. Despite the hype train, the team listed the 24-year-old as the RB5 on their first unofficial depth chart ahead of Friday’s preseason game.
JCM led the team in carries against the Patriots with seven, but was only able to muster 24 yards with a long of nine. He caught his only target for eight yards. Let’s wait and see how he mixes in once the Commanders start giving snaps to their starters. If he’s able to secure a roster spot, there may be room for him to keep climbing with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler atop the depth chart.
–Blake Stachel (@bllakkay)
