Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Kyle Monangai: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Kyle Monangai is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.1 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG with the Washington Commanders across 17 games, and Kyle Monangai posted 8.1 with the Chicago Bears in 17.
When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 805 yards and 8 touchdowns; Kyle Monangai posted 783 and 5. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has his bye in Week 14, and Kyle Monangai rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
