Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s Limited Role with the Commanders Raises Fantasy Concerns
The excitement surrounding Jacory Croskey-Merritt is beginning to wane as he struggles to find his footing in the Washington Commanders’ backfield. After the injury to star running back Austin Ekeler, expectations soared for Croskey-Merritt. However, as the season progresses, it appears that the rookie’s role may not be as significant as many had hoped.
Limited Early Involvement
In the recent matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Croskey-Merritt’s presence on the field was minimal. Despite being active for Week 4, he faced a disappointing start, logging only two snaps out of the first 14 running back plays. Instead, Chris Rodriguez Jr. took the lion’s share of the workload with ten snaps, while Jeremy McNichols also saw two opportunities during that stretch.
This lack of involvement can be attributed to a recent injury that may have hindered Croskey-Merritt’s performance leading up to the game. Even with the coaches deeming him fit to play, it was clear that his role was not prioritized, raising questions about his immediate future in the lineup.
Fantasy Football Implications
For fantasy football managers, Croskey-Merritt’s limited action is a cause for concern. His potential as a breakout player seems stifled by the Commanders’ strategy to utilize a more diverse backfield. With Rodriguez and McNichols sharing snaps, Croskey-Merritt has become less reliable as a fantasy asset. Until he can carve out a more significant role, fantasy managers may need to temper their expectations.
The Commanders appear committed to a multi-faceted running game, which complicates matters for Croskey-Merritt. As the rookie continues to navigate his place within the team, the anticipation surrounding his performance remains clouded by uncertainty.
For now, it seems that the excitement surrounding the “Bill” nickname for Croskey-Merritt is overshadowed by the realities of a crowded backfield. Fantasy managers will be watching closely to see if he can gain traction in the coming weeks, but for the moment, his prospects look dim.
