Who Should I Start? James Cook or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sunday, December 14, 9:42 PM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put up a dominant performance in his team's critical Week 15 win over its division rival, the New England Patriots, on Sunday. Cook recorded 22 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns, and two receptions for four yards and a score. The 26-year-old has now racked up 1,686 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns on 302 touches across 14 games this season. Cook has topped 100 scrimmage yards in five straight games and 11 out of 14 total contests in 2025. He also continues to dominate backfield touches in Buffalo, logging 22 of the team's 26 rushing attempts by running backs in Week 15. Cook profiles as a must-start fantasy running back heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Monday, December 15, 9:51 AM

Washington Commanders rookie running back out of Arizona, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, is officially back on the fantasy football radar as Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) was a game-time decision in Week 15 and was eventually ruled out shortly before the game, which led to Croskey-Merritt, aka Bill, to earn 18 carries which he turned that into 98 yards (5.33) and a touchdown in the Commanders' 29-21 win over the New York Giants in Week 15. JCM looked good running the football, and his score came from 16 yards out. All of a sudden, this Commanders backfield gets a bit shaky after it had finally cleared up for us the past few weeks, with Rodriguez being the only one worth rostering. After JCM's performance in Week 15, it's possible the Commanders may want to give JCM some more run after an impressive performance, so if Rodriguez Jr., who had been playing well, returns in Week 16, all of a sudden, we are back to the three-running-back committee of Rodriguez, JCM, and Jeremy McNichols. All of which would become desperate plays in Week 16 of the fantasy football season. Regardless, JCM would be worth a waiver-wire pickup in case Rodriguez can't suit up in Week 16.