Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gus Edwards 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 Gus Edwards's 7.0 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 Gus Edwards are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.0-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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RBLos Angeles Chargers#99

Gus Edwards

PPG

7.0

Games

Rush Yds

468

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 5

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

Gus Edwards

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

7.0 PPG8.0 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Gus Edwards: 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, Gus Edwards is producing at 32% 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.

Gus Edwards vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

Gus Edwards (7.0 PPG) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (8.0 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Gus Edwards played 13 games for the Los Angeles Chargers; Jacory Croskey-Merritt suited up 17 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 1.0-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Gus Edwards ran for 468 yards and 4 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: Gus Edwards sits Week 5 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: Gus Edwards (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 Gus Edwards by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Gus Edwards'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

Gus Edwards vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gus Edwards	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.0	8.0
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	91	136
Rushing Yards	468	805
Rush Yds/Game	36.0	47.4
Rushing TDs	4	8
Receptions	10	9
Receiving Yards	62	68
Targets	0	13
Total TDs	4	8
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 7

Summary

8.0 PPG for Jacory Croskey-Merritt versus 7.0 for Gus Edwards 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 Gus Edwards or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacory Croskey-Merritt has the edge at 8.0 PPG compared to Gus Edwards's 7.0 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 Gus Edwards and Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?▾

Gus Edwards averaged 7.0 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 1.0 points per game.

When are Gus Edwards and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gus Edwards (LAC) 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 Gus Edwards or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Gus Edwards 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.