The main headlines from Washington Commanders have been centered around the contract situation of WR Terry McLaurin regarding his contract situation.
Fortunately for the franchise, one Commanders rookie has been turning heads regularly throughout the first week of training camp.
Commanders Rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt Continues to Impress at Training Camp
Scott Abraham from WJLA.com has been consistent on one takeaway from the early portions of Washington Commanders training camp… Jacory Croskey-Merritt continues to impress on the field in his first taste of NFL action.
Abraham wrote on X on Monday, “I’ve never seen a 7th round draft pick get as much love as Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The Commanders rookie running back is turning some heads at training camp.”
This echoes the article Abraham wrote ‘Jacory Croskey-Merritt turning heads at Washington Commanders training camp’Â as the headline of an article he dropped at WJLA.com.
Abraham detailed in the article, “There is a buzz at Washington Commanders training camp… Keep your eye on the Commanders’ seventh-round draft pick, Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The running back is starting to gain some attention from the Washington coaching staff and media members alike. He pops off the screen. He’s fast. He runs violently and has the look of an all-around back.”
Could Jacory Croskey-Merritt Have a Breakout Rookie Season in 2025?
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler project to be the top two ball carriers in the Washington backfield. Yet, neither of these players were particularly special last season — which could open the door for a newcomer to potentially carve out a significant role in this Commanders’ backfield.
Derek Brown of FantasyPros wrote, “Croskey-Merritt was a predraft love lister for me. Sadly, he dropped all the way to the seventh round of the NFL Draft before the Commanders picked up the phone. If Croskey-Merritt hadn’t had his 2024 season cut off by an eligibility issue, he would have gone much higher than this. His 2023 season was excellent. He ranked 19th in yards after contact per attempt and 12th in elusive rating (per PFF). He’s a no-nonsense runner who makes one cut and gets downhill. He’ll have his work cut out for him to climb up a crowded running back depth chart, but he has the talent to do so.”
The Washington running game was effective in 2024, but it is a little bit concerning that the leading rusher on the team was quarterback Jayden Daniels.
We all know Daniels is special as a dual threat quarterback, but it would likely be in the best long-term interest of the franchise if Daniels was simply able to be an occasional contributor to the rushing attack instead of the driving force.
Robinson has been solid but unspectacular during his three years in the NFL while Ekeler’s 2024 campaign were some of the lowest numbers we have seen from him since his rookie year.
Croskey-Merritt may have a sizeable hill to climb to not only make the roster but to see significant action on the field over the two incumbents. Yet, if he continues to impress throughout the preseason, it is not that farfetched to believe he can have an impact rookie year in 2025.
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