Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 46 yards on 11 carries and added two receptions for no gain against the Bengals. Croskey-Merritt, more commonly known as "Bill", followed the hole that was beautifully created by the Washington offensive line and tight end John Bates before showing off his explosiveness in the open field to finish for a 27-yard touchdown. He was mostly stuffed on the rest of his carries as the game went on, and as Washington's reserve offensive lineman came into the game. His stock is on the rise, however, with the recent news surrounding Brian Robinson's future in Washington. The glowing reports coming out of training camp point to Croskey-Merritt having a sizable role in Washington's backfield this season. While Croskey-Merritt is the most dynamic runner on the team, veterans like Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, and possibly Jeremy McNichols are well-regarded with the coaching staff as well and will likely form a committee in the short term. Attached to Jayden Daniels and an offense that should score plenty of points, he is a great upside bet to make in your drafts.
Aug 19, 2025 12:38 AM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (shoulder) was wearing a non-contact jersey in Saturday's training camp practice, according to Ben Standig. Croskey-Merritt only took part in individual drills at practice as he works through a minor shoulder injury. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder suffered the shoulder injury in the preseason opener last week against the New England Patriots, when he carried the ball seven times for 24 yards while catching his only target for eight yards. He has been impressive during camp as he competes for a depth role in Washington's backfield behind Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. Croskey-Merritt's primary competition for a 53-man roster spot this summer are Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. From all accounts, Croskey-Merritt has done enough so far to make the team.
Aug 16, 2025 12:10 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (shoulder) is all but assured of a roster spot, and it "wouldn't be a surprise to see him play a significant role in the offense," according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. The rookie seventh-rounder suffered a shoulder injury in Washington's first preseason game, but it isn't considered serious. Croskey-Merritt's training camp performance has earned a steady drumbeat of praise from both team personnel and Commanders' beat writers. He will almost certainly open the season behind both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler on the backfield depth chart, but it appears that Washington is open to him working his way into more playing time. Croskey-Merritt is a name for fantasy managers to monitor on the waiver wire or even as a late-round dart throw in deep leagues.
Aug 15, 2025 10:24 AM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (shoulder) did not take part in the scrimmage on Tuesday due to a minor shoulder injury that he picked up in the preseason opener last week against the New England Patriots, according to John Keim of ESPN. Keim adds that the Commanders were just taking precaution by holding the rookie out on Tuesday at training camp. The 24-year-old had eight touches for 32 yards last week and is expected to make the final 53-man roster heading into the regular season. The seventh-rounder will now compete for the No. 3 role in D.C. with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. behind Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. Croskey-Merritt is most likely going to need an injury to one or both of Ekeler and B-Rob in order to become a popular midseason waiver-wire target.
Aug 12, 2025 3:55 PM EST
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said he's "encouraged by what I've seen so far" from rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Jhabvala writes that the organization believes Croskey-Merritt has "the potential to be a special player." A seventh-round pick out of Arizona, Croskey-Merritt played in just one game in his final college season due to an eligibility dispute with the NCAA. He's earned glowing reports for his work in training camp so far. Washington has established veterans in Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler atop their running back depth chart, so Croskey-Merritt is fighting with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. for a depth role. He would likely need at least one of his teammates to get injured to be fantasy relevant in 2025, but Croskey-Merritt is a name to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of the preseason.
Aug 10, 2025 10:44 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt made his much-anticipated preseason debut on Friday against the Patriots. Croskey-Merritt totaled 24 yards on seven carries and added an eight yard reception on the night. While the numbers don't jump off the stat sheet, he showed off his burst and shiftiness on all of his touches, consistently making defenders miss and fighting for extra yards. The rookie briefly entered the medical tent with a shoulder injury, but he later returned to the game. He has been the talk of Commanders training camp so far, and has explosiveness as a runner that the team otherwise doesn't have at running back. He looked dynamic in his first taste of NFL action and has plenty of upside to dream on as a late round selection in fantasy drafts.
Aug 8, 2025 11:32 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie seventh-round running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is getting reps with quarterback Jayden Daniels and the first-team offense in the no-huddle session during Tuesday's training camp practice. It's something worth watching for the 245th overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft back in April. The 24-year-old had 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023 at New Mexico but then ran into eligibility issues in 2024 after transferring to Arizona and played in one game. It's the reason why he fell to the final round of the draft, although he does have some intrigue as a between-the-tackles bruiser. As long as Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. are healthy, Croskey-Merritt figures to compete the No. 3 change-of-pace role with Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can likely ignore him.
Jul 29, 2025 1:14 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a potential sleeper to watch during the team's offseason activities, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. "A back-end roster player who could garner significant attention in the offseason: Jacory Croskey-Merritt," Standig wrote. "The 5-foot-11, 208-pounder has the goods to get there despite sitting out nearly the entire 2024 college season with eligibility issues. If Kingsbury falls for this competitive runner's one-cut burst, there could be a running back room shake-up." The seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft spent the first four seasons of his collegiate career at Alabama State before a breakout season at New Mexico, where he rushed 189 times for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns. In 2024 at Arizona, he rushed 13 times for 106 yards and one score in one game appearance. While Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler remain penciled in as the RB1 and RB2 for Washington, it sounds like Croskey-Merritt is a name worth monitoring later in the offseason. If he makes the roster, he could be worth stashing in deeper redraft and dynasty leagues. Last season, third-string running back Jeremy McNichols popped up on the fantasy radar, so anything is possible.
May 27, 2025 3:06 PM EST
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