Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Tyjae SpearsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.0 PPG to Tyjae Spears's 6.9 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 Tyjae Spears are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-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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RBWashington Commanders#40PPG LEADER

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

805

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

RBTennessee Titans#48

Tyjae Spears

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

283

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

264

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Tyjae Spears

Head to Head

8.0 PPG6.9 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Tyjae Spears: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is producing at 36% of elite pace and Tyjae Spears at 31%. That ranking gap means Jacory Croskey-Merritt carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Tyjae Spears: The Full Breakdown

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (8.0 PPG) and Tyjae Spears (6.9 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. Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games for the Washington Commanders; Tyjae Spears suited up 13 times for the Tennessee Titans.

A 1.1-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.

Tyjae Spears is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 264 yards, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt profiles as a more traditional rusher with 805 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Tyjae Spears carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jacory Croskey-Merritt sits Week 7 while Tyjae Spears 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.

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: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Tyjae Spears (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Tyjae Spears by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Tyjae Spears'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.
•Tyjae Spears caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Tyjae Spears: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jacory Croskey-Merritt	Tyjae Spears
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.0	6.9
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	136	90
Rushing Yards	805	283
Rush Yds/Game	47.4	21.8
Rushing TDs	8	2
Receptions	9	45
Receiving Yards	68	264
Targets	13	50
Total TDs	8	2
Age	25	24
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 9

Summary

8.0 PPG for Jacory Croskey-Merritt versus 6.9 for Tyjae Spears 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Tyjae Spears in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacory Croskey-Merritt has the edge at 8.0 PPG compared to Tyjae Spears's 6.9 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Tyjae Spears average in 2025?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyjae Spears averaged 6.9 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Tyjae Spears's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Tyjae Spears (TEN) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Tyjae Spears a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Tyjae Spears by 1.1 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.