Who Should I Start? Jaylen Warren or Jacory Croskey-Merritt


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Jaylen Warren News

Jaylen Warren's Production Upside is Limited in Pittsburgh

Monday, March 30, 11:09 AM

Across 16 games in 2025, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren recorded a career-high 1,291 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns on 251 touches. Warren began the year as the featured back in Pittsburgh before gradually moving into more of a timeshare with former Steelers back Kenneth Gainwell. While Gainwell departed Pittsburgh in free agency, the Steelers brought in former Carolina Panthers back Rico Dowdle to replace him. Dowdle is known for his ability to run between the tackles on early downs and in short-yardage situations, which could mean Warren will be siloed to a third-down role in 2026. While Warren has been an efficient player (career average of 5.3 yards per touch) throughout his time in the NFL, Pittsburgh has never quite trusted him to take on a full RB1 workload. As a result, Warren's fantasy value has traditionally been limited to low-end RB2/flex status. With Dowdle now in Pittsburgh, Warren's upside in dynasty formats remains capped.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Jacory Croskey-Merritt News

Can Jacory Croskey-Merritt Emerge as the Clear RB1 in Washington?

Saturday, March 28, 10:50 AM

Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a bit of a rollercoaster campaign as a rookie in 2025, finishing the year with 873 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 184 touches across 17 games (seven starts). Croskey-Merritt recorded four touchdowns across his first five NFL games, but then cracked 40 rushing yards just once across eight contests between Week 6 and Week 14. Still, Croskey-Merritt closed the year on a tear, recording 255 rushing yards and four scores over the season's final four weeks. Heading into 2026, the 24-year-old should have a chance to emerge as Washington's RB1. However, the Commanders also added veteran backs Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency. At the very least, White and Ford are trusted third-down backs who will prevent Croskey-Merritt from seeing much receiving work in his second NFL season. Croskey-Merritt's clear upside as a rusher provides him with long-term upside for dynasty managers, but it does not appear as though Washington is ready to fully hand him the keys to its backfield in 2026.


Jaylen Warren vs. Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Still trying to decide between Warren and Croskey-Merritt? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jaylen Warren is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Jacory Croskey-Merritt is projected to score 0.0 points.