Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dameon Pierce 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 Dameon Pierce's 6.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

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

Jacory Croskey-Merritt has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.6-PPG advantage is real (8.0 to 6.4), and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8 touchdowns show scoring upside. Dameon Pierce is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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RBHouston Texans#99

Dameon Pierce

PPG

6.4

Games

Rush Yds

342

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

108

Bye

Week 14

RBWashington Commanders#40PPG LEADER

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

805

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Dameon Pierce

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

6.4 PPG8.0 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Dameon Pierce: 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, Dameon Pierce is producing at 29% 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.

Dameon Pierce vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Dameon Pierce (Houston Texans) finished the 2025 season averaging 6.4 fantasy points per game in 13 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.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt carries a 1.6-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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dameon Pierce ran for 342 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: Dameon Pierce sits Week 14 while Jacory Croskey-Merritt is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: Dameon Pierce (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?

•Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Dameon Pierce by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Dameon Pierce's 13. 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

Dameon Pierce vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dameon Pierce	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	8.0
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	83	136
Rushing Yards	342	805
Rush Yds/Game	26.3	47.4
Rushing TDs	2	8
Receptions	15	9
Receiving Yards	108	68
Targets	0	13
Total TDs	2	8
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jacory Croskey-Merritt holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.0 points per game. Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 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 Dameon Pierce or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacory Croskey-Merritt has the edge at 8.0 PPG compared to Dameon Pierce's 6.4 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 Dameon Pierce and Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?▾

Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

When are Dameon Pierce and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce (HOU) 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 Dameon Pierce or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Dameon Pierce by 1.6 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.