Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Travis Etienne: Who Should You Start?
If you are choosing between Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Travis Etienne for your lineup, you are not alone. Jacory Croskey-Merritt finished the 2025 season at 8.0 PPG for the Washington Commanders (17 games), and Travis Etienne averaged 13.9 for the New Orleans Saints (17 games).
That 5.9-point weekly advantage for Travis Etienne is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 805 yards and 8 touchdowns; Travis Etienne posted 1107 and 7. 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: Jacory Croskey-Merritt sits Week 14 while Travis Etienne is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
