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Ashton Jeanty vs Jacory Croskey-MerrittWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.8 PPG to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ashton Jeanty is the better fantasy play this season.

Ashton Jeanty has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.8-PPG advantage is real (12.8 to 8.0), and Ashton Jeanty's 10 touchdowns show scoring upside. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBLas Vegas Raiders#17PPG LEADER
Ashton Jeanty
PPG
12.8
Games
17
Rush Yds
975
Rush TDs
5
Rec
55
Rec Yds
346
Bye
Week 13
RBWashington Commanders#40
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
Ashton Jeanty
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

12.8 PPG8.0 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Ashton Jeanty: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #17 at the position). Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ashton Jeanty is producing at 58% of elite pace and Jacory Croskey-Merritt at 36%. That ranking gap means Ashton Jeanty carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ashton Jeanty vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Ashton Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders) finished the 2025 season averaging 12.8 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Washington Commanders) came in at 8.0 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Ashton Jeanty carries a 4.8-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Ashton Jeanty is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 55 targets into 346 yards, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt profiles as a more traditional rusher with 805 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Ashton Jeanty carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Ashton Jeanty has his bye in Week 13, 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

If you can acquire Ashton Jeanty at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Ashton Jeanty (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • Ashton Jeanty outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by a projected 82 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Ashton Jeanty scored 10 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Ashton Jeanty caught 55 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ashton Jeanty vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAshton JeantyJacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)12.88.0
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)218136
Rushing Yards975805
Rush Yds/Game57.447.4
Rushing TDs58
Receptions559
Receiving Yards34668
Targets7313
Total TDs108
Age2225
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Ashton Jeanty holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 12.8 points per game. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ashton Jeanty or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Ashton Jeanty has the edge at 12.8 PPG compared to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 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 Ashton Jeanty and Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?

Ashton Jeanty averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.8 points per game.

When are Ashton Jeanty and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?

Ashton Jeanty (LV) has a bye in Week 13, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ashton Jeanty or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Ashton Jeanty outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 4.8 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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