Aaron Jones vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Who Should You Start?
Aaron Jones (8.7 PPG) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (8.0 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Aaron Jones played 12 games for the Minnesota Vikings; Jacory Croskey-Merritt suited up 17 times for the Washington Commanders.
A 0.7-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Jacory Croskey-Merritt posted 805 and 8. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Aaron Jones sits Week 6 while Jacory Croskey-Merritt is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
