Who Should I Start? De'Von Achane or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Saturday, October 4, 10:31 AM

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane should be very busy in an extremely favorable matchup in Week 5, when his team rolls into Carolina. Achane is coming off a season-high 20 carries on Monday night against the Jets in Week 4, totaling a season-high 99 rushing yards and scoring his first rushing touchdown. His targets were down dramatically because the Dolphins played from ahead, but he could get more work as a receiver with Tyreek Hill (knee) done for the season. Coach Mike McDaniel knows that Achane is a key playmaker in the offense ans always is sure to get him his volume. The Panthers have been a good matchup for running backs, giving up three running back touchdowns in four weeks along with 110 rushing yards and 30.3 receiving yards per game to the position. Achane should continue to serve as the primary back in Miami, and even though he is sharing a little work with rookie Ollie Gordon II, he remains a great play in all formats. His big-play ability, consistent volume, and favorable matchup combine to place him at No. 5 in the RotoBaller RB rankings for this week.

Thursday, October 9, 12:49 PM

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said that rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt still has a "ways to go" with his play when the football isn't in his hands, according to John Keim of ESPN. "Pass protection, pass game, any sort of lead blocks. He has to keep working to become a complete back but since day one when he touches the ball he does good things with it," Kingsbury added. It's about par for the course with most young RBs in the NFL. The 24-year-old displayed his upside in the Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, carrying the ball 14 times for a season-high 111 yards and two touchdowns, but he also lost a fumble. But will it be enough to get JCM out of a committee backfield approach in Washington that also includes Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols? Fantasy managers should be willing to find out with Croskey-Merritt in their starting lineups for a Monday night affair against the Chicago Bears to close out Week 7.