Jacory Croskey-Merritt Fantasy Overview

2025 Role & Results

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Croskey-Merritt ran 175 times for 805 yards and 8 TDs in 2025, adding 9 catches on 13 targets for 68 yards.

Croskey-Merritt entered 2025 as a seventh-round pick with minimal expectations and beat them. He finished just RB33 at 8.3 PPR points per game, but he still turned late draft capital into a consistent role and seven starts.

JCM led RBs in rushing TDs while handling 35.3% of the team’s carries inside the 5-yard line. Chris Rodriguez actually led the team at 42.4%, but he has since moved on to the Jaguars, opening more goal-line work for Croskey-Merritt in 2026.

Efficiency & Regression

The efficiency metrics for Croskey-Merritt looked strong. Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries, here’s how he ranked:

The rookie broke tackles and created more yardage than was blocked for him.

Those marks easily topped new Commanders teammate Rachaad White, who ranked 27th in yards per carry (4.25), 44th in RYOE per attempt (minus-0.22), and 35th in YAC per attempt (2.95).

The receiving profile is where the limitations show up. Croskey-Merritt averaged just 1.15 YPRR (28th among backs) and his yards after catch per reception of 5.7 ranked 71st.

The college profile doesn’t offer any evidence of receiving upside either. He only had seven catches in his lone full FBS season in 2023 at New Mexico.

Offensive Context

HC Dan Quinn's comments at minicamp signal genuine belief in what Croskey-Merritt can become. Quinn specifically highlighted his fit in the new offensive scheme: "From a play design perspective where it's a little bit different, where it's some stretch, cutback-type plays, so seeing him do that and his explosiveness to go and do that is a big deal."

Quinn also noted visible physical development: "You can see some of that take on shape through workouts, getting stronger and adding more size and strength to him. Those are things you don't do during that first year. You do it during this time."

The offseason drumbeat has been positive for Croskey-Merritt and his second-year upside.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

Projected Role & Competition

In addition to letting Rodriguez walk in free agency, the Commanders signed White and Jerome Ford to small, one-year contracts and drafted Kaytron Allen in Round 6.

Here’s how Quinn assessed the backfield in spring: "It's probably some main guys in certain parts. It's not going to be one person the entire time, but I do like the competition in the group."

White arrives with ample receiving and pass-blocking experience, positioning him as at least the lead candidate for passing situations. Croskey-Merritt answers with a lack of displayed ability in that area, which increases the importance of winning early-down work and goal-line opportunities.

Allen left Penn State as the all-time leader in carries and rushing yards. He ranked ninth in the Draft Sharks rookie model and will battle Croskey-Merritt for rushing duties.

Ford and holdover Jeremy McNichols must prove they belong in the competition.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

Jayden Daniels is a major factor in any Washington RB projection. One of the league's most dangerous rushing QBs, he averaged 8.8 carries per game over the past two seasons. Daniels overall rushing efficiency can take away carries from the RBs behind him. The Commanders ranked 31st in RB Carry Share (71.2%) in 2025 and 32nd in RB Carry Share (67.3%) in 2024.

The offensive scheme change is another interesting variable. New OC David Blough, promoted from assistant QBs coach after two seasons, has never called plays. That makes this offense difficult to project.

Blough wants to put Daniels under center more, use more play-action, and run multiple personnel groupings.

Washington led the league in shotgun rate (86.9%) and no-huddle rate (60.8%) in 2025 under Kliff Kingsbury. More under-center work and play action also point to the run game remaining central to Washington’s plan. The Commanders ran at the league’s sixth-highest rate in 2024, with Daniels healthy.

Washington returns four of five starters on the O-line, with Nick Allegretti replacing Tyler Biadasz at center after signing a two-year extension in March. Allegretti has just two career starts there, but continuity along the rest of the line should keep the run blocking functional.

Paths To Ceiling

Croskey-Merritt's ceiling is an RB3 finish built on TD upside. Croskey-Merritt’s 15th ranked 4.60 yards per carry show his efficiency could beat out White for early-down and goal-line work. His contact balance could make him a consistent scorer even within a committee. Two years ago the Commanders had a similar committee split with Brian Robinson Jr. handling the early down work (like Croskey-Merritt may) with 13.4 carries per game Austin Ekeler, in the potential White receiving role, with 6.4 carries per game. A similar split in 2026 helps Croskey-Merritt hit his ceiling.

Risk Factors

The risk is limited, inconsistent usage. White's pass protection and experience could push Croskey-Merritt into a smaller role, Allen could overtake him for touches, and Croskey-Merritt's receiving limitations leave him vulnerable to disappearing on passing downs, especially in PPR leagues.