Who Should I Start? Robbie Ouzts or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sunday, May 4, 1:08 PM

The Seattle Seahawks are converting rookie fifth-round tight end Robbie Ouzts to a 274-pound fullback as part of their vision for a more physical running game under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. Ouzts will be competing with Brady Russell, who is also making the transition from tight end to fullback this offseason. He worked mostly as a blocker during his four-year college career at Alabama, so it should be a pretty natural transition for Ouzts in Seattle. Ouzts obviously won't be on the fantasy radar at all as a blocker if he's on the field regularly, but this news is good news for the Seahawks' ground attack and starting running back Kenneth Walker III and backup Zach Charbonnet. In 17 games last year, Seattle averaged just 95.7 rushing yards per game, which ranked as the fifth-fewest in the NFL.

Friday, November 21, 9:36 AM

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, out of Arizona, has seen his role decrease over the past few weeks. Chris Rodriguez Jr. saw a season-high 15 carries in Week 11 and ran for a very solid 5.27 YPC. Meanwhile, Croskey-Merritt saw a 27 percent snap share, and although he carried the ball nine times and caught one pass, it all added up to 33 all-purpose yards (3.11 YPC) against the Miami Dolphins in Spain. The Commanders are on a bye in Week 12, and it appears that this running back room is starting to shape out in a way where Rodriguez will get a bulk of the carries, Croskey-Merrritt will be the change of pace back, and Jeremy McNichols will get mixed in as the pass-catching option. Knowing all of this, it makes Rodriguez the clear running back to own in this backfield, and Croskey-Merritt can be dropped to the waiver wire if your team is in a pinch and you need to fill the roster spot with someone that can help you win now. In Week 13, the Commanders get the Denver Broncos, where none of the running backs will be a recommended start, as the Broncos' defense ranks top 5 in points allowed against opposing running backs.