Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Thursday, October 9, 10:45 AM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has been one of the NFL's most efficient passers through the first five weeks of the season. The veteran has completed 73% of his passes (third-best in the NFL) while ranking seventh in both passing yards and touchdowns. After a breakout 2024 campaign in Minnesota, where he threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, some questioned whether Darnold could replicate that success in Seattle. So far, he's answered emphatically. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerging as a true No. 1 receiver, Darnold is producing like a top-10 fantasy quarterback. The Seahawks face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6, who lead the NFL in interceptions, making Darnold a slightly risky start. Still, he remains a strong high-end QB2 with weekly upside in fantasy leagues moving forward.

Thursday, October 9, 12:49 PM

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said that rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt still has a "ways to go" with his play when the football isn't in his hands, according to John Keim of ESPN. "Pass protection, pass game, any sort of lead blocks. He has to keep working to become a complete back but since day one when he touches the ball he does good things with it," Kingsbury added. It's about par for the course with most young RBs in the NFL. The 24-year-old displayed his upside in the Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, carrying the ball 14 times for a season-high 111 yards and two touchdowns, but he also lost a fumble. But will it be enough to get JCM out of a committee backfield approach in Washington that also includes Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols? Fantasy managers should be willing to find out with Croskey-Merritt in their starting lineups for a Monday night affair against the Chicago Bears to close out Week 7.