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Alvin Kamara vs Jacory Croskey-MerrittWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.0 PPG to Alvin Kamara's 7.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Alvin Kamara are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.3-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBNew Orleans Saints#41
Alvin Kamara
PPG
7.7
Games
11
Rush Yds
471
Rush TDs
1
Rec
33
Rec Yds
186
Bye
Week 8
RBWashington Commanders#40PPG LEADER
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG
8.0
Games
17
Rush Yds
805
Rush TDs
8
Rec
9
Rec Yds
68
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Alvin Kamara
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

7.7 PPG8.0 PPG
11 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Alvin Kamara: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #41 at the position). Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alvin Kamara is producing at 35% of elite pace and Jacory Croskey-Merritt at 36%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Alvin Kamara vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Alvin Kamara and Jacory Croskey-Merritt is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.3 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 PPG with the New Orleans Saints across 11 games, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt posted 8.0 with the Washington Commanders in 17.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Alvin Kamara ran for 471 yards and 1 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.

Alvin Kamara has his bye in Week 8, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Alvin Kamara (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Alvin Kamara by a projected 5 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Alvin Kamara's 11. That durability gap means Jacory Croskey-Merritt contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Alvin Kamara caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
  • Jacory Croskey-Merritt is 5 years younger than Alvin Kamara (25 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alvin Kamara vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAlvin KamaraJacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)7.78.0
Games Played1117
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)85136
Rushing Yards471805
Rush Yds/Game42.847.4
Rushing TDs18
Receptions339
Receiving Yards18668
Targets3913
Total TDs18
Age3025
Experience8 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 8Week 7

Summary

8.0 PPG for Jacory Croskey-Merritt versus 7.7 for Alvin Kamara in 2025. The baseline favors Jacory Croskey-Merritt, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Alvin Kamara or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacory Croskey-Merritt has the edge at 8.0 PPG compared to Alvin Kamara's 7.7 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Alvin Kamara and Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?

Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.3 points per game.

When are Alvin Kamara and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?

Alvin Kamara (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alvin Kamara or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Alvin Kamara by 0.3 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.

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