If you spent any time on the waiver wire last season, you probably saw the name. Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Or maybe you know him by the nickname that took over Commanders Twitter: "Bill." Honestly, it’s one of those classic fantasy stories where a seventh-round flyer becomes the only thing keeping your RB2 slot from certain death.
But here’s the thing. Most people are looking at his 2025 stats and seeing a fluke. They see a 7th-round pick who got lucky because Austin Ekeler’s Achilles gave out and Brian Robinson Jr. was traded away. I think that’s a mistake.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt fantasy football value is heading into a massive transition period in 2026. If you aren't paying attention to the nuance of how he finished the year, you're going to miss the boat. Again.
The Weird, Wild Journey to the NFL
To understand why this guy is a fantasy enigma, you have to look at how he even got to Washington. It wasn't exactly a straight line. He spent four years at Alabama State, then blew up at New Mexico with 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023.
Then came the Arizona debacle.
He transferred to the Wildcats for his final year, played exactly one game—where he torched his old team for 106 yards—and then vanished. Eligibility issues. Something about a jersey number discrepancy from years prior. It was a mess. He basically spent the rest of 2024 as a ghost.
But the Commanders saw something. They took him 245th overall. Basically the end of the draft. And what did he do? He led all rookies in rushing touchdowns.
Why the 2025 Stats are Deceptive
Let’s look at the raw numbers from his rookie campaign.
- 175 carries
- 805 rushing yards
- 8 touchdowns
- 4.6 yards per carry
On paper? Solid. In reality? It was a total rollercoaster.
He’d have a Week 5 where he’d go for 111 yards and two scores against the Chargers, looking like the next big thing. Then, he’d disappear for a month because Chris Rodriguez Jr. took the "bruiser" role.
The inconsistency is what scares people off. He’s 208 pounds, which isn't tiny, but he doesn't run like a 220-pound power back. He’s got that "stop-start" juice. Analysts like Ryan Roberts have compared his movement to LeSean McCoy. That’s high praise, but it also means he needs space to work. If the Washington offensive line isn't opening holes, he’s a guy who can get stuffed for two yards five times in a row before he breaks a 40-yarder.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Fantasy Football: The 2026 Outlook
Heading into 2026, the backfield in Washington is a bit of a question mark. As of right now, Croskey-Merritt is one of the only guys under contract.
Here is the reality of his situation:
- Workload: He is not a workhorse. Stop trying to make him one. He had 13 targets all last season. Thirteen. If you’re in a full PPR league, he’s basically TD-dependent.
- The Rodriguez Factor: Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the "steady" hand. He’s the guy who gets the 4-yard plunges. Croskey-Merritt is the home-run hitter.
- Efficiency: He finished with a 78.3 PFF rushing grade. That’s top-20 in the league. When he gets the ball, he’s actually good.
Is he a "Buy" in Dynasty?
This is where it gets interesting. I’ve seen people flipping "JCM" for 2028 first-round picks during his "fever pitch" weeks. That’s probably overpaying. But as a depth piece? He’s gold.
In a recent DynastyFF thread, managers were debating if he’s just another "JAG" (Just Another Guy) or a legitimate building block. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. He’s 24 years old. He’s shown he can handle the jump from the Mountain West to the NFL.
Honestly, the biggest threat to his value isn't Chris Rodriguez. It’s the 2026 NFL Draft. Washington has cap space. They have picks. If they bring in a high-profile veteran or a Day 2 rookie, Croskey-Merritt's path to a starting role evaporates.
Strategy for the 2026 Season
If you're drafting today, where does he go?
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His ADP is currently hovering around the 180-200 range. That’s basically free. He’s a "Sleeper Level: REM" pick. You take him, you stash him, and you wait for the preseason reports.
"He’s a quick processor with adequate size and impressive cut quickness... he finishes runs with purpose." — Lance Zierlein, NFL Analyst.
That "finishing with purpose" is why he had 8 touchdowns. He’s small but he isn't soft. He handled 406 snaps as a rookie. He’s durable enough to be the lead in a committee, even if he isn't a 20-touch-a-game guy.
Real Talk: The Risks
You have to be realistic. He fumbled four times last year. That’s a one-way ticket to the bench under most coaching staffs. He also doesn't catch passes. In modern fantasy, a non-receiving back is a dinosaur.
Unless he’s scoring, he’s giving you 6 points. That’s a week-killer.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re looking to capitalize on Jacory Croskey-Merritt fantasy football hype (or lack thereof), here is what you should do:
- Dynasty Owners: Hold. Don't sell for a random third-round pick. His ceiling is a starting RB in a Kliff Kingsbury-style offense that loves explosive plays.
- Redraft Managers: Circle him as a late-round flyer. If Washington doesn't draft a running back in the first three rounds, his value triples overnight.
- Watch the Waiver Wire: If he’s sitting there in a deep league, grab him now. The "Christmas Day" explosion against Dallas (105 yards, 2 TDs) showed what happens when he gets the volume.
The talent is there. The opportunity is shifting. Whether he becomes a cornerstone or a footnote depends entirely on Washington's front office this spring. But for a seventh-rounder who didn't even play his senior year of college, he’s already beaten the odds.
Keep a close eye on Washington's free agency moves. If they stay quiet at the RB position through March, you've got a potential top-24 back for the price of a kicker.