Who Should I Start? Jonathan Taylor or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sunday, December 28, 9:25 PM

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor did not have his most efficient day in his team's 23-17 Week 17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was able to volume his way to solid production. Taylor recorded 21 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown and also hauled in three receptions for 14 yards on six targets. The 26-year-old has now recorded 1,924 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns on 353 touches across 16 games in 2025. While Taylor's numbers for the season are excellent, he's struggled with efficiency throughout the second half of the season. Including Week 17, he's averaged fewer than four yards per carry in five out of his last six games. Still, the Colts' offense remains built around Taylor, as he's recorded at least 18 touches in every game but two this season. Indianapolis will travel to Houston to take on the Texans in Week 18.

Thursday, January 1, 4:37 PM

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (illness) was able to practice in full on Thursday after he was held out due to illness on Wednesday. Croskey-Merritt had his second 100-yard game and two rushing touchdowns in last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, with Chris Rodriguez Jr. out due to illness. Rodriguez is back in the fold for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, though, so fantasy managers will want to lower expectations for Croskey-Merritt in the final game of his rookie season. The 24-year-old JCM could be Washington's lead back against the Eagles, but Rodriguez's presence will definitely cap the rookie's upside this weekend.