Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt impressed as a runner in his 2025 rookie season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and ranking 12th among 51 qualifiers in rush yards over expected per attempt. But his fantasy value was capped by minimal receiving production: Just 9 catches across 17 games. That followed scant passing-game usage in college, with JCM totaling just 34 grabs in 44 outings. But word out of Commanders camp is that Croskey-Merritt has been seeing more work as a receiver and showing improvement in that department.
What They're Saying: Don't Sleep On His Hands
1067 The Fan's Grant Paulsen on "Bill" Croskey-Merritt: "Bill has caught the ball really well. They are also asking him to catch the ball a lot. I haven't seen much of [Rachaad] White in that regard, but Bill keeps standing out. He makes strong hands catches in the flat time and time again."
The Team 980's Ben Standig: "Jacory Croskey-Merritt isn’t simply being handed RB1 duties. However, last season’s leading rusher is flashing enough as a pass catcher to position himself for the largest role in the backfield."
Croskey-Merritt on his receiving skills: “I always feel like it was slept on. I feel like it comes naturally for me and that’s something I definitely want to show. I can do more than just run a ball. I want to be able to catch out of the backfield and be able to block and run. I just wanna be the jack of all trades.”
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Receptions Raise The Floor
Croskey-Merritt isn't suddenly going to turn into Christian McCaffrey. Standig notes that his pass protection "remains a work in progress" and that RB Rachaad White is still the favorite for obvious passing-down work.
But even two or so catches per game would make Croskey-Merritt a lot easier to trust as a fantasy starter.
Rankings Movement: Target Projection Gets A Bump
We'll keep monitoring Washington's backfield and see if we get any usage clues from preseason action. But we're raising Croskey-Merritt's target projection from 0.9 to 1.5 per game, boosting him up the RB rankings.
