Who Should I Start? Chase Brown or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Friday, December 5, 10:32 AM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (calf) got off to a slow start to the 2025 season, averaging just 50.6 scrimmage yards per game over his first six contests. However, the 25-year-old has taken off ever since Week 7, topping 100 scrimmage yards in each of his last six games. Over the last three weeks in particular, Brown is averaging 22.3 touches and 123.3 scrimmage yards per game. Finding the end zone remains a struggle for Brown, as he's scored just two touchdowns on the season. With Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow back in the fold and Cincinnati's offense as a whole trending upward, Brown should have more red zone chances in the coming weeks. It's worth noting that Brown is listed on the Bengals' injury report with a calf injury heading into the team's Week 14 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, but he's been a full practice participant and appears likely to play. As long as Brown is on the field, he profiles as a must-start fantasy running back.

Friday, December 5, 7:45 PM

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a trendy late-round upside pick in fantasy drafts in the fall, with Washington's backfield plans unsettled. He became even more popular off the waiver wire early in the season after Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder out of Arizona had double-digit rushing attempts in five of six games from Weeks 5-10, accumulating 298 yards and two touchdowns on 76 carries (3.9 yards per attempt). Bill has since fallen out of favor and has lost lead-back duties to Chris Rodriguez Jr. In the Sunday night overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, Croskey-Merritt played a season-low 14% of the snaps and had a season-low four carries for only 20 yards. He was also out-snapped by pass-catching back Jeremy McNichols. JCM is still rostered in just under 50% of Yahoo leagues, but in a three-back committee in Washington, he should be on benches entering Sunday's road matchup against Minnesota.