The rookie nobody saw coming just might be exactly what Washington needed. Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt walked into his first NFL game as a seventh-round afterthought and walked out with a touchdown that has everyone asking the same question: Is this the steal of the 2025 draft?
Known for his speed, vision, and ability to break tackles, Croskey-Merritt shows he might be more than just a late-round gamble; he could be the Commanders’ future. Fans and analysts are buzzing about his potential, and it’s easy to see why.
How Did Jacory Croskey-Merritt Overcome Years of Being Overlooked?
The path to Washington wasn’t simple for Croskey-Merritt. Big programs passed him over completely as an unrated high school recruit, forcing him to prove himself the hard way. He started at Alabama State for his freshman year before transferring to New Mexico, where he finally broke through and caught national attention.
In New Mexico, Croskey-Merritt showcased the mobility and field vision that make him dangerous in open space. Those skills carried him to Arizona in 2024, but an unforeseen NCAA eligibility issue stemming from a 2019 jersey number mix-up limited him to just one game.
Rather than let that setback derail his dreams, Croskey-Merritt used it as fuel. He stayed locked in, dominated the East-West Shrine Bowl, and ultimately heard his name called on draft day.
What Makes Croskey-Merritt So Dangerous?
Washington saw something special in Croskey-Merritt and paired him with veteran Austin Ekeler in what’s shaping up to be a perfect backfield partnership. Unfortunately, Ekeler suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.
Since then, Croskey-Merritt has made the most of his opportunity and has starred for the Commanders. In five games, the Commanders’ rookie has rushed for 283 yards and four touchdowns on 43 carries, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per carry. He also has five receptions for 54 yards on seven carries.
Croskey-Merritt’s story runs deeper than just statistics. From being overlooked in high school to overcoming college setbacks to making an immediate NFL impact, he’s shown the resilience and clutch-play ability that separate good players from great ones. If he continues building on his strong start, the Commanders may have discovered their running back of the future in the most unlikely place.
The advanced metrics, like the one they call “Bill” before his big Week 5 performance against the Chargers, aren’t backing down. His usage is likely to tick up after the breakout game, and with 72.1% of his carries resulting in more yards after contact than the positional average, I see no reason to pump the brakes.
