Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Jacory Croskey-MerrittWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Austin Ekeler edges Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 1.0 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Austin Ekeler goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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RBWashington Commanders#99PPG LEADER

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBWashington Commanders#40

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

805

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

9.0 PPG8.0 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Jacory Croskey-Merritt at 36%. That ranking gap means Jacory Croskey-Merritt carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Austin Ekeler vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG over 14 games with the Washington Commanders, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt clocked in at 8.0 across 17 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 1.0-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt profiles as a more traditional rusher with 805 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Austin Ekeler is off Week 14 and Jacory Croskey-Merritt Week 7. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler's 14. 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.
•Austin Ekeler caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Ekeler vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	8.0
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	136
Rushing Yards	425	805
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	47.4
Rushing TDs	3	8
Receptions	45	9
Receiving Yards	360	68
Targets	0	13
Total TDs	5	8
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Austin Ekeler holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 9.0 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 Austin Ekeler or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 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 Austin Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 1.0 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.