Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Jaylen Warren: Who Should You Start?
Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Washington Commanders) finished the 2025 season averaging 8.0 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers) came in at 12.3 PPG over 16 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.
Jaylen Warren carries a 4.3-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.
Jaylen Warren is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 40 targets into 333 yards, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt profiles as a more traditional rusher with 805 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jaylen Warren carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jacory Croskey-Merritt sits Week 14 while Jaylen Warren is off Week 9. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
