Who Should I Start? Jarquez Hunter or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sunday, August 10, 8:47 AM

Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 41 yards on 11 carries during Saturday's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He was not targeted in the passing game, but he did add a 21-yard kick return to his stat line. Although we would've liked to see him average more than 3.7 yards per carry, the rookie did turn heads by taking on a high-volume role in his preseason debut. Not only does Hunter's fourth-round draft capital give him a leg up over Blake Corum to be the Rams' backup running back, but he is also expected to push for some of Kyren Williams' snaps. As a likely handcuff with potential standalone value, Hunter is worth stashing in the final rounds of fantasy drafts with at least 14 teams.

Sunday, August 10, 10:44 PM

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.