Latest news with #JacoryCroskeyMerritt
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Predicted To Make Trade Involving 73-TD Running Back
Commanders Predicted To Make Trade Involving 73-TD Running Back originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders' running back room is causing the front office and the coaching staff to face a difficult decision. Their intended starter candidates, Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr., are entering the final years of their contracts. Advertisement The team also drafted Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a seventh-round pick in April's draft to help bolster the position group. Critics would contend that none of the three running backs are at this point in their careers fully capable of being a star lead back in any offense. Though of course Ekeler once did that with the Chargers. In the case of Ekeler now? Maybe at age 30 he actually thrives in a "by committee" approach. As he gets set for his ninth NFL season, though, the former Los Angeles back is surely acutely aware that he could be playing his final year in the league, especially after missing five games with injuries in 2024. Advertisement And there are observers who want to make that push now. Douglas Fritz from Clutch Points believes that Washington could move on from Ekeler this offseason. He predicts that the team will trade Ekeler – who in his career is a 73-touchdown guy – to make room for their seventh-round rookie. "Add in the fact that he's coming off an injury-plagued season with the dreaded concussion," Fritz said. "Further complicating his spot on the roster has been the emergence of a rookie seventh-round selection. Jacory Croskey-Merritt could make Ekeler expendable (a.k.a. tradeable) if he continues to flash NFL-ready signs during the upcoming training camp." Our thoughts? We have our doubts that a seventh-round rookie is anywhere close, in terms of dependability for a Super Bowl contender – than Ekeler. Advertisement Ekeler won't be a part of Washington's long-term plans. But the short-term plan is to win big and Ekeler figures to be a key component in that push. Related: 'Fat' Deebo 'Jacked' Photo Goes Viral In Telling Commanders' Truth Related: Jayden Daniels' Commanders Own One 'Significant Advantage' In Super Bowl Chase This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. describes the key to his 2025 season
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. knows this is a make-or-break year for him. Robinson enters the final year of his rookie contract and looks to land a long-term deal from Washington or someone else. Landing long-term deals as a running back is hard enough, but even more difficult when you aren't on the field. Robinson saw the Commanders use a seventh-round pick on Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the 2025 NFL draft. While seventh-round picks often face an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, Croskey-Merritt is different. Washington loves him and believes he would've been drafted much higher if an eligibility issue hadn't limited him to one game last season. Advertisement Robinson has been on the field, but in three NFL seasons, he has yet to play a full season. That's not his fault. Before his rookie season, Robinson was shot in an attempted robbery and miraculously returned after only missing the first four games. Robinson is ready for a big 2025 season. "The biggest thing for me is just being available," Robinson told reporters last week. "Just being on the field, I think, when I'm healthy and I'm biggest thing for me is just being available, being out there on the field where I can continue to produce. Everything, as far as the craft, I'm going to continue to stay sharp and continue to work, put in the extra time, the extra hours in the building, outside the building, whatever I need to do to stay sharp." Robinson is sometimes criticized too harshly. As a rookie, coming off being shot in the foot, he rushed for 797 yards (3.9 YPA) in 12 games. In 2023, Robinson ran for 733 yards (4.1 YPA) and five touchdowns in 15 games. Last season, Robinson played in 14 games, rushing for 799 yards, eight touchdowns and averaged 4.4 yards per attempt. Robinson set multiple career highs last season, but many called it disappointing. Advertisement Robinson is not a shifty runner. But he's a strong, powerful runner who is hard to bring down once he gets past the initial line of scrimmage. He will be running behind the best offensive line he's had by far in 2025. Robinson could be the forgotten star on Washington's offense next season. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. ready for a big contract year
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders sign 3 members of their rookie class
The Washington Commanders reported to Ashburn on Friday for the beginning of rookie minicamp. But before the 2025 rookie class took the field, general manager Adam Peters finished some business with some members of the 2025 NFL draft class. Three of Washington's five draft picks signed their respective rookie contracts: 4th-round pick, WR Jaylin Lane The Virginia Tech speedster is expected to be the Commanders' primary punt returner as a rookie. Due to his game-breaking speed and versatility, he could quickly become a favorite target of quarterback Jayden Daniels. Lane played outside and in the slot in his college career and can also run the ball. Washington is excited about Lane's potential. 6th-round pick, LB Kain Medrano Kain Medrano will be a fun player to watch this summer. His combination of size, speed and coverage ability could get him on the field early, but there are concerns about his tackling. The Commanders can work with Medrano on his tackling. Finding players with Medrano's size/speed profile is more difficult. 7th-round pick, RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt Croskey-Merritt is another rookie the Commanders are excited about. He could get some carries early in his NFL career with the top four running backs entering the final year of their contract. An eligibility issue cost Croskey-Merritt all but one game last season. Had he played, Washington probably wouldn't have gotten him in the seventh round. The depth of the 2025 rookie class also helped push Croskey-Merritt down the board. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders signed 3 members of their 2025 rookie class
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Draft Pick Draws Comparison to Underrated Running Back
The Washington Commanders made five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, with three of them being on offense, and the other two on defense. Their final pick was in the seventh round, and they used it on Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Many might look over this pick and write him off, but Ryan McCafferty of Riggo's Rag compares him to a running back the Commanders drafted back in 2012. Advertisement "The most successful Washington backfield steal in recent times has to be Alfred Morris," McCafferty writes. "The Florida Atlantic product was a Week 1 starter as a sixth-round pick in 2012. While all the attention was on NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III, he quietly put up one of the best seasons in league history by a first-year rusher... Comparing Croskey-Merritt to Morris may seem like quite the hot take, but it's not impossible." Morris put up 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns in his rookie season with Washington. While Croskey-Merritt will not be a starter in his first year, McCafferty thinks he could make his impact felt when he is given the opportunity. The 24-year-old back only played one game for the Arizona Wildcats due to eligibility issues, but his numbers at New Mexico were very solid. He racked up 1,190 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns, and he did so on a very efficient 6.3 yards per attempt. While Croskey-Merritt will most likely not get a ton of snaps in his rookie season due to the Commanders' crowded running back room, he can bide his time and prove to the team that he was a steal in the seventh round when his time comes. Related: Commanders Have 1 Glaring Roster Hole Stopping Super Bowl Charge Related: Commanders Invite Sean Taylor's Brother to Rookie Minicamp
