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The Washington Commanders drafted Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft. He was a developmental selection, a plan for the future as Brian Robinson Jr. enters the final year of his rookie contract. The Commanders also have Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jeremy McNichols, Kazmeir Allen, and Demetric Felton on the 90-man roster.
As we all know, Robinson is the starter with Ekeler backing him up. Ekeler is 30, though, and McNichols is 29. While Ekeler is more of a receiving running back, his speed is declining and his injury history is concerning. Rodriguez and McNichols filled in decently as backups last season, but the Commanders lack a truly dynamic back who has a good burst and can get downfield.
Enter Croskey-Merritt, the seventh-rounder out of Arizona. Today, the Commanders had their first practice in pads, and just five days into training camp, the Commanders' beat reporters are united that Croskey-Merritt has stood out the most since camp began.
Of the reporters questioned, John Keim, Ben Standig, Rick Snyder, Scott Abraham, Chris Russell, and Michael Phillips, only two mentioned other players besides Croskey-Merritt. Russell mentioned Croskey-Merritt at the end of his spiel, but likes Mike Sainristil in camp. Phillips was high on Jaylin Lane, so there's also some love for the young cornerbacks.
Rick Snyder even went so far as to say that Croskey-Merritt will be the starting running back by December. And every reporter who talked about Croskey-Merritt made sure to mention his cuts and the violence with which he hits the hole, both of which bode well for his chances in the NFL.
Never forget that Tom Brady was a sixth-round draft pick. It's not about where you're selected, it's about how you fit with a team, the scheme that they run, and the style of a player's ability. Right now, Croskey-Merritt is turning heads, and that's how it starts. We'll see more of what he can do during the preseason, and it's anticipated that he will make the final 53-man roster despite the depth of the running back room.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt standing out in traning camp
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As we all know, Robinson is the starter with Ekeler backing him up. Ekeler is 30, though, and McNichols is 29. While Ekeler is more of a receiving running back, his speed is declining and his injury history is concerning. Rodriguez and McNichols filled in decently as backups last season, but the Commanders lack a truly dynamic back who has a good burst and can get downfield.
Enter Croskey-Merritt, the seventh-rounder out of Arizona. Today, the Commanders had their first practice in pads, and just five days into training camp, the Commanders' beat reporters are united that Croskey-Merritt has stood out the most since camp began.
Of the reporters questioned, John Keim, Ben Standig, Rick Snyder, Scott Abraham, Chris Russell, and Michael Phillips, only two mentioned other players besides Croskey-Merritt. Russell mentioned Croskey-Merritt at the end of his spiel, but likes Mike Sainristil in camp. Phillips was high on Jaylin Lane, so there's also some love for the young cornerbacks.
Rick Snyder even went so far as to say that Croskey-Merritt will be the starting running back by December. And every reporter who talked about Croskey-Merritt made sure to mention his cuts and the violence with which he hits the hole, both of which bode well for his chances in the NFL.
Never forget that Tom Brady was a sixth-round draft pick. It's not about where you're selected, it's about how you fit with a team, the scheme that they run, and the style of a player's ability. Right now, Croskey-Merritt is turning heads, and that's how it starts. We'll see more of what he can do during the preseason, and it's anticipated that he will make the final 53-man roster despite the depth of the running back room.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt standing out in traning camp
Continue reading...