When I first started writing this season’s fantasy outlooks, I didn’t even know who Jacory Croskey-Merritt was. The Washington Commanders’ seventh-round rookie has been steadily climbing up the ranks to the point where fantasy football managers need to take him seriously. Just how early should managers be willing to take Bill?
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Fantasy Outlook
Who is Bill? Well, “Bill” is the name Croskey-Merritt chooses to go by. I know. I don’t get it, either.
Croskey-Merritt’s story is a fascinating one. He lost a full season of college eligibility because of a clerical error regarding what jersey number he wore resulting in confusion between him and another player.
Croskey-Merritt being in the NFL at all is an incredible upset. He wasn’t even invited to the NFL Combine. He has decent speed and elite burst, but his college production is severely lacking. This is the bear case for JCM.
if I’m wrong on Jacory Croskey-Merritt, I’m wrong but you couldn’t pay me to overdraft a guy who could barely out-earn Santo Dunn and Ja’Won Howell as a *senior* in college pic.twitter.com/DVcIHPrfXR
— kev mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) August 18, 2025
Now for the bull case.
The Commanders do not seem particularly enamored with Brian Robinson Jr. In fact, by the time you read this, Robinson may very well have been traded or, more likely, cut.
Robinson is your quintessential replacement-level back. There are 50+ running backs who can do what he does. Clearly, the Commanders believe enough in Croskey-Merritt to be willing to move on from Robinson.
Austin Ekeler’s role is not going to change. At 30 years old, he cannot be the heavy volume guy he was with the Los Angeles Chargers, nor does he want to be. The question is whether Croskey-Merritt assumes the Robinson role, or if he shares it/plays behind Chris Rodriguez.
The fantasy community loves shiny new toys. They especially love their Day-3 darlings. There is no question who will go higher in fantasy drafts. In fact, Rodriguez probably won’t even be drafted.
I have absolutely no issue with taking a shot on Croskey-Merritt in the double-digit rounds. But he does not have three-down upside. Filling the Robinson role is his absolute ceiling.
Croskey-Merritt caught seven passes at New Mexico in 2023. He is a pure two-down back. If you get 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns from him, that is probably a win. It’s also roughly 9.0 fantasy points per game. That’s fine for a late-round dart throw. However, if Bill’s ADP continues to surge into the late single digits, it’s hard to justify pushing the button.
