Jacory

Croskey-Merritt

‘Bill’ Croskey-Merritt and restricted free agent Chris Rodriguez would stand to gain fantasy value if the Commanders focused on a more run-focused approach, as they seem like a team that has limited resources to dedicate to the running back position this offseason. It’s hard to speculate on who the Commanders could bring in to install a scheme that’s akin to what Quinn desires just based on the idea of more run-pass balance, but the search to replace Kliff Kingsbury looks destined to bring in someone with a more buttoned-up run game.

Rocketing up fantasy draft boards after the Brian Robinson trade before the season, rookie seventh-rounder “Bill” Croskey-Merritt finished the season with 175 carries for 805 yards and eight touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt was seldom-used in the passing game by the Commanders, catching just 9-of-13 targets for 68 yards on the season. He was voted as the NFL Rookie of the Week four times this season and flashed potential with a 78.3 PFF rushing grade entering Week 18, No. 20 among running backs. The 24-year-old rushed for 100 yards in Weeks 5 and 17, finishing as a top-10 PPR back in those weeks. He battled inconsistency and lost the starting job to Chris Rodriguez in the middle of the season, seeing the most usage in run-favorable game scripts. The Commanders will certainly look to add to the backfield with Croskey-Merritt the only running back under contract for next season. He won’t be a workhorse lead back but look for “Bill” to have a role as an explosive downhill runner for the Commanders next season. Croskey-Merritt should be valued as a fantasy RB3 heading into the offseason.

He’ll split carries with Chris Rodriguez in all likelihood against the Eagles on Sunday. Croskey-Merritt will only be an RB3 with that workload, even against a resting Eagles team.

With Chris Rodriguez healthy this week, it’s unknown if “Bill” will shoulder a real fantasy workload in Week 18. We’d certainly let him try if we were the Commanders after last week’s 11/105/2 affair against the Cowboys, but we bet the actual result will be a fantasy-value killing backfield split.

A DNP because of an illness early in the week is usually nothing, though there is slightly more risk of JCM missing Sunday’s game this time around. The Commanders have nothing to play for in Week 18 and are already down to their third-string quarterback. If JCM is still under the weather on Sunday, he could get the week off. He will likely split reps with Chris Rodriguez if he suits up.

The end result vastly underplays his contributions on an afternoon the Commanders ran only 41 offensive plays in a game completely dominated by the Cowboys. The rookie back scored early from 10 yards out before springing free off tackle for his 72-yard trip to the paint. Croskey-Merritt finishes up an inconsistent rookie season with a road meeting with the Eagles in Week 18.

After impressing in the win over the Giants in Week 16, “Bill” was a non-factor for most of the contest, although he saved the fantasy day with a short touchdown plunge. The 24-year-old has long-term upside, but Chris Rodriguez is clearly the favorite in this Washington rushing attack when he’s healthy. That likely will be the case on a short week against the Cowboys in Week 17 on Christmas Day.

He got in full sessions all week and should be a usable-if-unexciting FLEX play as Washington’s lead back against Philadelphia, in a game they are expected to trail in. The silver lining is that Jalen Carter (shoulders) was ruled out, so it should be easier sledding inside at least for Rodriguez. “Bill” Croskey-Merritt will likely revert to a backup role in Week 16.

He wasn’t targeted in the passing game. With Chris Rodriguez unavailable due to a grain injury, Croskey-Merritt was the bellcow for the Commanders. He outrushed Jeremy McNichols by 91 yards (nine attempts for five yards) and McNichols also lost a fumble. The rookie tailback reached 90 yards for the first time since Week 5, and it seems likely he’ll see a similar amount of touches in Week 16 against the Eagles if Rodriguez can’t get healthy for that matchup.

Rodriguez missed practice Wednesday before getting in two limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. He’s a game-time decision, according to Schefter. Rodriguez will test his groin pre-game to see if he can play. If active, he’s somewhat of a risky play in a great matchup against the Giants. Even when Rodriguez is 100 percent, he splits backfield touches with Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see his touches scaled back given his condition. If Rodriguez is ruled out, Croskey-Merritt is a plug-and-play option in a fantastic matchup against the incredibly weak Giants run defense.