The Washington Commanders were always going to take a running back in the 2025 NFL draft. Washington’s top two backs, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, enter the final season of their contracts in 2025. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will also be free agents after next season.
The Commanders showed interest in numerous running backs throughout the pre-draft process, including Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson was considered a first-round talent and did go early in the second round. Would Washington GM Adam Peters be willing to spend that high of a pick on a running back?
Ultimately, the answer was no, but the Commanders did get their running back, using a seventh-round selection on Jacory Croskey-Merritt of Arizona. Due to an eligibility quirk, Croskey-Merritt only played in one game for the Wildcats last season and rushed for over 100 yards. The year before, Croskey-Merritt played at New Mexico, where he rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt began his career at Alabama State.
Washington met with Croskey-Merritt numerous times this spring. The Commanders clearly liked him, and with the running back class being so deep, Washington was fortunate to land Croskey-Merritt so late in the draft.
Croskey-Merritt is an elite athlete.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was drafted in round 7 pick 245 in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.29 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 362 out of 2106 RB from 1987 to 2025. https://t.co/Po5ZrIA04Xpic.twitter.com/xoiRaBTbO6
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 26, 2025
Croskey-Merritt has everything.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had the highest Max deceleration EVER on offense since the Shrine Bowl partnered with @ZebraSports (-7.29 yds/sec squared)
His ability to stop, cut and redirect is special, and he showed it throughout the @ShrineBowl game (🎥⬇️)#ShrineBowlWhosNextpic.twitter.com/fAOzxPFmBV
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) February 6, 2025
Is it possible that Croskey-Merritt could start for the Commanders at some point next season? Washington’s run game should improve due to the investments in the offensive line. Robinson and Ekeler will likely be the top two options, and both offer different skills, with Ekeler being a critical component in the passing game. But don’t be surprised if Croskey-Merritt finds himself stealing snaps at some point next season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ Jacory Croskey-Merritt could find the field soon
The Washington Commanders were always going to take a running back in the 2025 NFL draft. Washington’s top two backs, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, enter the final season of their contracts in 2025. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will also be free agents after next season.
The Commanders showed interest in numerous running backs throughout the pre-draft process, including Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson was considered a first-round talent and did go early in the second round. Would Washington GM Adam Peters be willing to spend that high of a pick on a running back?
Ultimately, the answer was no, but the Commanders did get their running back, using a seventh-round selection on Jacory Croskey-Merritt of Arizona. Due to an eligibility quirk, Croskey-Merritt only played in one game for the Wildcats last season and rushed for over 100 yards. The year before, Croskey-Merritt played at New Mexico, where he rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt began his career at Alabama State.
Washington met with Croskey-Merritt numerous times this spring. The Commanders clearly liked him, and with the running back class being so deep, Washington was fortunate to land Croskey-Merritt so late in the draft.
Croskey-Merritt is an elite athlete.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was drafted in round 7 pick 245 in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.29 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 362 out of 2106 RB from 1987 to 2025. https://t.co/Po5ZrIA04Xpic.twitter.com/xoiRaBTbO6
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 26, 2025
Croskey-Merritt has everything.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had the highest Max deceleration EVER on offense since the Shrine Bowl partnered with @ZebraSports (-7.29 yds/sec squared)
His ability to stop, cut and redirect is special, and he showed it throughout the @ShrineBowl game (🎥⬇️)#ShrineBowlWhosNextpic.twitter.com/fAOzxPFmBV
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) February 6, 2025
Is it possible that Croskey-Merritt could start for the Commanders at some point next season? Washington’s run game should improve due to the investments in the offensive line. Robinson and Ekeler will likely be the top two options, and both offer different skills, with Ekeler being a critical component in the passing game. But don’t be surprised if Croskey-Merritt finds himself stealing snaps at some point next season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ Jacory Croskey-Merritt could find the field soon
