Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt proved to be one of the steals of the 2025 NFL Draft. Croskey-Merritt, better known as Bill, was a seventh-round pick who led the Commanders with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last season. Amazingly, 24 other running backs were selected ahead of him last year.
Bill also averaged an impressive 4.6 yards per attempt as a rookie and started only seven games. Even more impressive, Croskey-Merritt reached these numbers by only playing 38.5% of Washington’s offensive snaps.
This offseason, analysts and fans wanted to see Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in Washington. The Commanders were reportedly interested, but how interested, we will never know. Love went No. 3 to the Arizona Cardinals, and Washington selected linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall.
The Commanders like Bill. They allowed Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez Jr. to depart this offseason and didn’t pursue top free-agent running backs such as Kenneth Walker Jr. or Travis Etienne. Washington did add veteran backfield help, signing Rachaad White and Jerome Ford. The Commanders also re-signed dependable and versatile veteran Jeremy McNichols and spent a sixth-round pick on Kaytron Allen.
White is expected to have a significant role in David Blough’s new offense. But from all indications, Croskey-Merritt will be Washington’s lead back. He bulked up this offseason in anticipation of an increased role. He’s also worked on his receiving skills.
With Bill expected to be the Commanders’ starting running back, how does he compare to other starting backs? Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 projected starting running backs in 2026. Croskey-Merritt came in at No. 30.
Croskey-Merritt was one of the league’s best underdog stories last season as a seventh-round pick who played just one college game in 2024. He ended up leading the Commanders with 805 rushing yards and recorded a solid 75.4 PFF rushing grade. Washington did right in the offseason by adding receiving complement Rachaad White, but Croskey-Merritt should garner the majority of the carries — particularly with Chris Rodriguez Jr. departing for Jacksonville.
Croskey-Merritt was one of the league’s best underdog stories last season as a seventh-round pick who played just one college game in 2024. He ended up leading the Commanders with 805 rushing yards and recorded a solid 75.4 PFF rushing grade. Washington did right in the offseason by adding receiving complement Rachaad White, but Croskey-Merritt should garner the majority of the carries — particularly with Chris Rodriguez Jr. departing for Jacksonville.
You could make the case that Bill should be ranked ahead of a few players, but this ranking is probably fair. Is he more talented than some of the players in front of him? Sure. But he must prove he can do it as a full-time starter for a full season. Until he does, Croskey-Merritt will still have doubters. That’s OK; he’s accustomed to it.
Bill appears to be a perfect fit for the zone-blocking scheme Blough will use in 2026. Paired with a healthy Jayden Daniels, Croskey-Merritt could go over 1,000 yards this season.
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