Devin Neal vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Who Should You Start?
Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Devin Neal (New Orleans Saints) finished the 2025 season averaging 5.2 fantasy points per game in 10 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 2.8-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.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Devin Neal ran for 206 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: Devin Neal sits Week 12 while Jacory Croskey-Merritt is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
