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Chuba Hubbard 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 Chuba Hubbard's 7.4 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 Chuba Hubbard are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-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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RBCarolina Panthers#44
Chuba Hubbard
PPG
7.4
Games
15
Rush Yds
511
Rush TDs
1
Rec
30
Rec Yds
223
Bye
Week 5
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
Chuba Hubbard
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

7.4 PPG8.0 PPG
15 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Chuba Hubbard: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #44 at the position). Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Chuba Hubbard is producing at 34% 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.

Chuba Hubbard vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Chuba Hubbard and Jacory Croskey-Merritt is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.6 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Chuba Hubbard averaged 7.4 PPG with the Carolina Panthers across 15 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. Chuba Hubbard ran for 511 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.

Chuba Hubbard has his bye in Week 5, 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: Chuba Hubbard (age 26) 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?

  • Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Chuba Hubbard by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Chuba Hubbard's 15. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Chuba Hubbard vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatChuba HubbardJacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)7.48.0
Games Played1517
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)111136
Rushing Yards511805
Rush Yds/Game34.147.4
Rushing TDs18
Receptions309
Receiving Yards22368
Targets3913
Total TDs48
Age2625
Experience4 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 5Week 7

Summary

8.0 PPG for Jacory Croskey-Merritt versus 7.4 for Chuba Hubbard 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 Chuba Hubbard or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacory Croskey-Merritt has the edge at 8.0 PPG compared to Chuba Hubbard's 7.4 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 Chuba Hubbard and Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?

Chuba Hubbard averaged 7.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Chuba Hubbard and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?

Chuba Hubbard (CAR) has a bye in Week 5, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Chuba Hubbard or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Chuba Hubbard by 0.6 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.