Who Should I Start? DJ Giddens or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Thursday, June 5, 2:27 PM

Indianapolis Colts rookie running back DJ Giddens will likely have the opportunity to win the RB2 job, and he could earn a weekly role on offense if he proves capable in the pass-blocking and pass-catching game, according to team reporter Jake Arthur. "Giddens may carve out some sort of role regardless of what's going on ahead of him with Jonathan Taylor and/or Khalil Herbert," Arthur wrote. "The Colts really like Giddens." The Kansas State product was the No. 151 overall pick (fifth-round) in the 2025 NFL Draft after posting 2,469 rushing yards, 581 receiving yards, and 21 total touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons. He'll be competing with Herbert and Tyler Goodson to earn a spot behind Jonathan Taylor. For now, he's a late-round handcuff stash in deeper fantasy football leagues, but he's worth monitoring early in his first professional campaign.

Tuesday, May 27, 3:06 PM

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.