Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Devin Neal 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 Devin Neal's 5.7 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 2.3-PPG advantage is real (8.0 to 5.7), and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8 touchdowns show scoring upside. Devin Neal 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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RBNew Orleans Saints#57

Devin Neal

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

206

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

104

Bye

Week 8

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

Devin Neal

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

5.7 PPG8.0 PPG

9 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Devin Neal is producing at 26% 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.

Devin Neal vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Devin Neal (New Orleans Saints) finished the 2025 season averaging 5.7 fantasy points per game in 9 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 2.3-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 8 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: Devin Neal (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?

•Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Devin Neal by a projected 39 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. 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

Devin Neal vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Devin Neal	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.7	8.0
Games Played	9	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	136
Rushing Yards	206	805
Rush Yds/Game	22.9	47.4
Rushing TDs	2	8
Receptions	17	9
Receiving Yards	104	68
Targets	19	13
Total TDs	2	8
Age	22	25
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jacory Croskey-Merritt holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.0 points per game. Devin Neal averaged 5.7 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 Devin Neal or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacory Croskey-Merritt has the edge at 8.0 PPG compared to Devin Neal's 5.7 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 Devin Neal and Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?▾

Devin Neal averaged 5.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.3 points per game.

When are Devin Neal and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Devin Neal (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Devin Neal or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Devin Neal by 2.3 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.