Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Fantasy Football Sleeper Nobody Saw Coming

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has rapidly emerged as one of the most intriguing late-round fantasy targets following the shocking trade of Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers. The 7th-round pick from Arizona now finds himself positioned as the team's potential early-down workhorse, creating immediate fantasy relevance for a player most managers hadn't considered just weeks ago.

The 24-year-old rookie's fantasy stock has skyrocketed after Washington cleared the backfield depth chart with Robinson's departure. Croskey-Merritt, who prefers to be called Bill, demonstrated his potential during the preseason with 46 yards and a touchdown in the second game, followed by 24 yards in his debut. Most tellingly, he was held out of the preseason finale alongside key starters, suggesting the coaching staff views him as a crucial piece of their Week 1 game plan.

Fantasy Impact

Currently sitting at an average draft position of 167.0 overall, Croskey-Merritt represents exceptional value in the later rounds. His role projection as Washington's primary early-down back, with Austin Ekeler handling passing situations, creates a clear path to RB2 upside in redraft leagues. The rookie's 5'11", 208-pound frame fits the profile of a between-the-tackles runner who could see 12-15 carries per game if he secures the starting role.

The main concern centers around Washington's backfield potentially operating as a committee. Chris Rodriguez Jr. received carries in the preseason finale and remains in competition for early-down work, while Jeremy McNichols adds veteran depth. However, Croskey-Merritt's recent elevation to RB2 on the depth chart behind Ekeler suggests he's won the coaching staff's confidence.

Test different late-round strategies with our fantasy football mock drafts to see how targeting Croskey-Merritt in rounds 12-14 impacts your roster construction. His current PPR rankings don't fully reflect his elevated opportunity following the Robinson trade.

Next Steps

Monitor Washington's injury reports closely as Croskey-Merritt recently dealt with a minor shoulder issue, though his preseason finale rest appears precautionary. Pay attention to snap distribution and target allocation during Week 1 against the Giants. If he handles 60% or more of early-down snaps, his fantasy value could double overnight, making him a priority waiver pickup in leagues where he remains available.

Filed under: Free Articles