It's easy to jump on the hype train for rookie running backs.
Part of the appeal is the unknown. With a guy like Washington Commanders rookie Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt, we haven't seen him fail. All there is to see is potential.
That can create some danger in fantasy football, though, especially in Week 1. We truly don't know what we don't know.
JCM's late rise up draft boards means some may have even made him a flex spot selection for some fantasy players.
So in Week 1 against the Giants, there's a decision to make.
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Should I start Jacory Croskey-Merritt this week?
There's a lot of reason to say no, you shouldn't start the beloved Bill this week. JCM has a ton of risk.
The Commanders have Austin Ekeler, an established veteran, along with potential short-yardage bruisers Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols.
ESPN's Eric Karabell, for one, sees this going against JCM, writing:
"Croskey-Merritt is far from safe Sunday against the New York Giants, and not because the Commanders list him fourth on the depth chart. Pay no attention to team depth charts. In fact, August fantasy draft darling Croskey-Merritt may watch much of Sunday's game and become free agent material in many leagues by Wednesday, creating a value opportunity. This situation remains fluid, but Washington doesn't have to force the rookie into double-digit touches initially. Ekeler scored 28.8 points in two games versus the Giants last season. Expect at least five receptions and ample touches this Sunday."
Ekeler seems to be the only safe play in this backfield.
Karabell goes on to recommend Dolphins rookie Ollie Gordon instead of Croskey-Merritt, so if Ollie is somehow still available, maybe you should snag him.
There's also opportunity in the Cleveland backfield this week for Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson in a game against the Bengals that should be high scoring.
Croskey-Merritt could pay off, in both the short and longer term. But there's so much risk that it's tough to count on him in Week 1.
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