Who Should I Start? Tank Bigsby or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Thursday, January 8, 12:33 PM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby showcased his talents in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders with the team resting starter Saquon Barkley. Bigsby played a season-high 59% of the offensive snaps and had 16 rushing attempts for 75 yards and a touchdown, also adding one catch for a 31-yard gain. Four of the 24-year-old's carries went for at least eight yards to finish with a 4.7 yard-per-carry average. It was a nice showing for the former third-rounder, but he'll go back to being Barkley's backup for Sunday's Wild-Card matchup versus the visiting San Franciscoso 49ers. In his 17 total games with Philly and the Jacksonville Jaguars during the regular season, Bigsby had 63 carries for 356 yards and two touchdowns while adding three catches for 32 yards. With a minor role likely coming against San Fran, Bigsby won't be a realistic starting option for playoff lineups.

Tuesday, January 27, 6:49 PM

Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a fantasy darling during draft season last fall when the team's RB picture was unsettled. His fantasy stock rose even further after Austin Ekeler suffered a season-ending injury early in the year. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder ended up leading the team in carries (175), rushing yards (805), and rushing touchdowns (eight), but he was the RB29 in half-PPR scoring, and he averaged just 8.2 half-PPR points per game in his 17 contests. It didn't help JCM's cause that starting quarterback Jayden Daniels missed most of the season with various injuries. Croskey-Merritt had two 100-yard games in his rookie season, but he also failed to eclipse 50 rushing yards in a game 12 times. The Commanders will have a new offensive coordinator in 2026, and it's hard to say how they'll attack the RB position in free agency and the draft. Croskey-Merritt will have a role next year, but there's a good chance he'll be more of a committee back than a workhorse.