Risk Flags
6- Depth Chart
The 2026 WAS RB room now includes Chris Rodriguez (value 2124), re-signed Jeremy McNichols, plus free agent additions Rachaad White and Jerome Ford. This five-back competition pool creates a low floor for JCM even as the nominal returning lead back.
- Late Season Role Decline
After explosive early-season performance, Croskey-Merritt lost volume to Chris Rodriguez starting Week 9. He finished 2025 in a committee role, raising questions about coaching confidence in his ability to be a lead back.
- Target Volume
JCM posted 0% target share across all four tracked games, making him a pure rusher with a hard PPR ceiling. New offseason additions Rachaad White and Jerome Ford are both pass-catching specialists who will further lock JCM out of the passing game in 2026.
- Committee Role
Croskey-Merritt lost volume to Chris Rodriguez starting Week 9 of 2025 and finished the season in a secondary role, with Rodriguez seeing 16 carries vs. his 13 in Week 18. Rodriguez is a restricted free agent and likely to return, limiting JCM's ceiling.
- Offseason RB Additions
New OC David Blough explicitly stated 'there will definitely be acquisitions that take place' at running back this offseason. Washington is scouting RB prospects at the Shrine Bowl and eyeing free agents like Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, and Rachaad White.
- Draft Capital
Washington holds the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with Jeremiyah Love widely mocked to them. Drafting a blue-chip RB prospect would immediately install a long-term starter threat above JCM on the depth chart and severely compress his dynasty window.