Pro Football Focus just dropped their rankings for the 32 projected starting running backs in 2026, and the Commanders' own Jacory Croskey-Merritt got absolutely disrespected, coming in at a head-scratching No. 30. This is the same guy who was one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft, a seventh-round pick who absolutely defied expectations as a rookie. You'd think leading your team in rushing would get you a little more respect than that, wouldn't you?
The Rookie Numbers They're All Forgetting
Seriously, did PFF even watch this dude play? Croskey-Merritt, better known as Bill, proved everyone wrong last season. He was selected after a mind-boggling 24 other running backs, yet he went out and led the Commanders with a killer 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. And he did that while only starting seven games and playing just 38.5% of Washington's offensive snaps! His 4.6 yards per attempt average as a rookie was impressive, and he stacked up a solid 75.4 PFF rushing grade. Let's not forget, this was a guy who played only one college game in 2024 before getting drafted. His first season was an underdog story for the ages.Commanders Are All In, But The Doubters Are Louder
The Commanders clearly see what Bill brings to the table. This offseason, they let Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez Jr. walk, and they didn't even chase top free-agent backs like Kenneth Walker Jr. or Travis Etienne. Instead, they added veteran depth by signing Rachaad White and Jerome Ford, re-signed Jeremy McNichols, and drafted Kaytron Allen in the sixth round. White's expected to have a significant role in David Blough's new offense, but all signs point to Croskey-Merritt being the lead back. He even bulked up and worked on his receiving skills this offseason, ready for the increased workload. So, the team trusts him, but PFF looks at all that and says "No. 30"? They even said the ranking is "probably fair" and that he "must prove he can do it as a full-time starter for a full season." It just shows some folks are slow to catch on. 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 easily go over 1,000 yards this season. He's used to having doubters, and you just know he's gonna use this ranking as fuel. Get ready for Bill to absolutely explode this year and make those PFF analysts eat their words.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.